As we wrapped up the academic year at Bard Graduate Center, our Board Chair, Nancy Druckman, said something that has stayed with me: “Talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not.”

I’ve been thinking about that constantly.

This spring, we celebrated 22 graduating MAs and one PhD candidate,  students whose work is already shaping museums, exhibitions, public humanities, conservation, and the future of the decorative arts, design history, and material culture. One student researched Appalachian craft education and plans to bring arts access to underserved communities. Another studied museum diplomacy between the United States and South Korea. Others are pursuing work in curatorial practice, education, and cultural research because they had the chance to study here.

That opportunity exists because of support from people like you.

As we close out our fiscal year, I hope you’ll consider making a gift to BGC Financial Aid and student support.

Your generosity helps ensure talented students can pursue this work, regardless of financial circumstance, and continue shaping how culture is studied, preserved, and shared with the world.

Thank you for believing in this community and the future of the field,

Lindsay Smilow
Chief Advancement Officer