Bard Graduate Center is devoted to the study of decorative arts, design history, and material culture through research, advanced degrees, exhibitions, publications, and events.

Bard Graduate Center advances the study of decorative arts, design history, and material culture through its object-centered approach to teaching, research, exhibitions, publications, and events.

At BGC, we study the human past and present through their material expressions. We focus on objects and other material forms—from those valued for their aesthetic elements to the ordinary things used in everyday life.

Our accomplished interdisciplinary faculty inspires and prepares students in our MA and PhD programs for successful careers in academia, museums, and the private sector. We bring equal intellectual rigor to our acclaimed exhibitions, award-winning catalogues and scholarly publications, and innovative public programs, and we view all of these integrated elements as vital to our curriculum.

BGC’s campus comprises a state-of-the-art academic programs building at 38 West 86th Street, a gallery at 18 West 86th Street, and a residence hall at 410 West 58th Street. A new collection study center will open at 8 West 86th Street in 2026.

Founded by Dr. Susan Weber in 1993, Bard Graduate Center has become the preeminent institute for academic research and exhibition of decorative arts, design history, and material culture. BGC is an accredited unit of Bard College and a member of the Association of Research Institutes in Art History (ARIAH).

Iris on Stream, Plaid and Stripe (No. 1012), Japanese textile stencil (katagami), image courtesy of the Katagami Project.

26th Annual Iris Foundation Awards

Honored
Outstanding Patrons—Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu
Outstanding Lifetime Scholar—Meredith Chilton, C. M.
Outstanding Mid-Career Scholar—Dr. Elizabeth E. Guffey
Outstanding Dealers—Zesty Meyers and Evan Snyderman

Event Co-Chairs
Deborah Miller Zabel and David Mann

Sponsors
Jan and Warren Adelson — Michele Beiny-Harkins — Nancy and Michael Druckman — Holly Hotchner — Barbara Nessim and Jules Demchick — Nancy Onlick and Giorgio Spanu — Ann Pyne (MA ‘06) — Sir Paul Ruddock — Judy Steinhardt — Deedee and Barrie Wigmore

Host Committee
Kathleen Baum — Nicolas Cattelain — Edward Lee Cave — Christian Ayne Crouch — Brandy S. Culp (MA ‘04) — Hélène David-Weill — Gus N. Davis — Benoist F. Drut — Helen W. Drutt English — Cristina Grajales — Agnes Gund — Lewis Haber — Titi Halle — Vivian Haime Barg — Ana Horta-Osório — Katina Huston — Fernanda Kellogg — Wolfram Koeppe — Benjamin Krevolin — Minna M. Lee — Arnold L. Lehman — Martin P. Levy — Reeva Mager — Caryl McFarlane — Geraldine Fabrikant Metz — Philippe de Montebello — Steven Nelson — Jennifer Olshin (MA ‘98) — Janet Ozarchuk — Melinda Florian Papp — Lisa Beth Podos — Janie Woo Scher and Stephen K. Scher — Emma Scully (MA’14) — Gregory Soros — Luke Syson — Barbara Tober — Charlotte Vignon — Shelby White — Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. — Philip L. Yang, Jr.

Click here for past Iris Foundation Award recipients.

Proceeds from the Iris Foundation Awards benefit the Bard Graduate Center scholarships and student research. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Formal invitations to follow. For further information, please contact Minna Lee at 212-501-3038 or minna.lee@bgc.bard.edu.