With so much to celebrate in fine arts at 91راة«, Joan and Martin Goldfarb decided it was time to throw a party.
The two long-time champions of 91راة« and the Faculty of Fine Arts hosted a reception in their home on July 10 to mark several important milestones for the Faculty. Item number one: the runaway success of the initial fundraising campaign for the Accolade Buildings – the Accolade Project. The Accolade Project began with a goal of $5 million, but was extended to $10 million as 91راة«’s donors quickly stole the show with tremendous and unexpected levels of support through the 91راة« Foundation.
Right: From left, Joan and Martin Goldfarb
The reception also provided the opportunity to acknowledge some of the leading players in the Accolade Project. Attendees bid farewell to retiring Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Phillip Silver who was a driving force for the creation of the new facility and welcomed incoming Dean Barbara Sellers-Young. She will continue fundraising efforts for facilities, Chairs, scholarships and other key initiatives that will ensure the Accolade Buildings are used to their full potential.
Those in attendance took the opportunity to thank their hosts for their leadership and to tip their glasses to Martin Goldfarb as he steps down as Chair of the Accolade Project Campaign Committee. 91راة« President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri recalled the Goldfarbs as two of the first people he met upon arriving at 91راة«. “They offered me a warm welcome and have always been there to provide sound advice and counsel whenever I seek it," said Shoukri. "They are good friends to me and to 91راة« and we are very grateful for their generous contributions to the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Accolade Project and the 91راة« community.”
Left: From left, Martin Goldfarb, incoming dean Barbara Sellers-Young, 91راة« President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri
Before Accolade, the Goldfarb name was already synonymous with fine arts at 91راة« with the naming of the Joan & Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts at 91راة«.
Marshall Cohen, member of 91راة« Foundation Board of Directors and chair of the 91راة« Board of Governors, praised Martin Goldfarb, saying, “Marty had the vision for what the Faculty of Fine Arts could accomplish and it was that vision that helped 91راة« dream big and make it happen.”
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| Above: From left, Brenda Silver and Phillip Silver, former dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and Joan Goldfarb |
Thirty years after 91راة« launched the first Faculty of Fine Arts in Canada, the Accolade Project brought all the disciplines together under one roof. Accolade includes the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre, a 325-seat proscenium theatre with orchestra pit; the Tribute Communities Recital Hall, a 325-seat recital hall and integrated recording studio; the Price Family Cinema, a 500-seat cinema-lecture hall; the CIBC Lobby; the Gales Gallery, a student-run art gallery; dance studios and specialized music studios, as well as additional classrooms. The building is also home to the celebrated Art Gallery of 91راة«.
Right: Judi Cohen, member of 91راة« Foundation board of directors, Sandie Rinaldo, CTV News weekend anchor and member of 50 to the Power of 50 Group, Joy Gales, supporter of 91راة«
Donations to the Accolade Project support 91راة« to the Power of 50, the largest fundraising campaign in 91راة«’s history. For more information or to donate, contact at 416-650-8210 or e-mail contact@yorkfoundation.yorku.ca.