John Cotton Dana Award
Every other year, members are invited to submit nominations for the prestigious John Cotton Dana Award. Mr. Dana, who founded the Newark Museum in 1909, was a pioneer in his belief that museums should strive to become a stronger and more enriching presence in people’s lives. His progressive philosophy regarding the educational and community service roles of museums still holds true today.
Since the inception of the Dana Award in 1989, the list of its recipients has come to represent New Jersey’s outstanding professionals who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of its museums
The Dana Award is presented biannually at NJAM’s Annual Meeting.
Nominations
Any individual member or staff of a member institution of the New Jersey Association of Museums may nominate a candidate for the award, which is selected by a subcommittee of NJAM Board Members.
The recipient will be honored for advancing the service of museums to the region, for demonstrating visionary and innovative leadership and /or exemplifying the highest standards of professional commitment. Special consideration should be given to the achievements of people in mid-career.
Download Nomination Instructions & Form
DEADLINE: May 1, 2024
Recipients
1989 Founding Museums:
The Montclair Art Museum
The Newark Museum
Princeton Art Museum
New Jersey State Museum
1990 Mr. Sam Miller
1991 Ms. Ann Fabbri
1992 Mr. John Petersen
1993 Ms. Nancy B. Gay
1994 Ms. Cynthia Koch
1995 Mr. Daniel Reibel
1996 Ms. Leah Sloshberg
1997 Mr. Zoltan Buki
1998 Dr. B. Michael Zuckerman
1999 Mr. Barry Taylor
2000 Ms. Gail Stern
2001 Ms. Sara Riviera Cureton
2002 Ms. Mary Sue Sweeney Price
2003 Dr. Emlyn H. Koster
2004 Ms. Rebecca A. Buck
2005 Mr. James F. Turk, Ph. D.
2006 Mr. Ulysses Dietz
2007 Ms. Twig Johnson
2008 Mr. Steve Miller
2009 Ms. Ann Marie Miller
2010 Mr. Peter Watson
2011* Ms. Michelle Ortwein
2013 Ms. Claudia Ocello
2015 Dr. Gail Stavitsky
2017 Ms. Anne Salvatore
2019* Mr. Ralph E. Hunter, Sr.
2022 Ms. Shirley Thomas
*In 2011, NJAM voted to make the award biennial. In 2021, NJAM voted to postpone the award until 2022 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.