Longtime friend of SUNY New Paltz Ward Mintz honored with Museum Association of New York Award of Distinction

Ward Mintz, an ardent supporter of community arts and longtime friend of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz, has been recognized with a 2025 Museum Association of New York (MANY) Award of Distinction. 

The Anne Ackerson Innovation in Museum Leadership Award honors Mintz for his distinguished career in the arts and his extensive involvement with organizations including the New York State Council on the Arts, the Coby Foundation and The Dorsky Museum, among many others.  

He served for many years as the chair of the Dorsky’s Advisory Board, and remains engaged as a member. Under his leadership, the museum grew its reach and influence with initiatives such as an exhibition on Benjamin Wigfall, the beloved New Paltz professor and one of the Hudson Valley’s most influential African American artists. Mintz also spearheaded programs connecting underserved communities to the arts, fostering accessibility and engagement with new audiences. 

Mintz’s work reflects his deep commitment to advancing museums, promoting diversity and strengthening connections between art and communities. His leadership has profoundly influenced institutions, the museum profession and the broader cultural landscape. 

Through his transformative leadership at institutions across New York state and beyond, Mintz’s career exemplifies the power of museums to inspire, connect and educate. His enduring legacy continues shaping the museum field, enriching cultural institutions and communities. 

Mintz will be one of 14 award winners honored during the 2025 MANY conference “Cultivating Community: Looking In, Reaching Out” at the Downtown Ithaca Conference Center on April 7. 

More information about the Museum Association of New York is available here. 

About The Dorsky Museum  

Through its collections, exhibitions and public programs, the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art supports and enriches the academic programs at the College and serves as a center for Hudson Valley arts and culture. With more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space distributed over six galleries, The Dorsky Museum is one of the largest museums in the SUNY system. Since its official dedication in 2001, The Dorsky has presented more than 100 exhibitions, including commissions, collection-based projects, and in-depth studies of contemporary artists including Robert Morris, Alice Neel, Judy Pfaff, Carolee Schneemann and Ushio Shinohara. 

Funding for The Dorsky’s exhibitions and programs is provided by the Friends of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art and SUNY New Paltz. 

Museum Hours  

Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, holidays and intersessions. 

For more information about The Dorsky Museum and its programs, visit www.newpaltz.edu/museum or call (845) 257-3844.