Press Release

World Monuments Fund to Honor Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, Suzanne Deal Booth, and Christian Louboutin at 33rd Annual Hadrian Gala

New York, NY, Sept 28, 2022—World Monuments Fund (WMF)––the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places––will host the 33rd annual Hadrian Gala at the iconic Rainbow Room in New York City on Monday, October 24, 2022. The evening will honor Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation; philanthropist Suzanne Deal Booth; and designer, entrepreneur and businessman Christian Louboutin.

“The Hadrian Gala honors champions of conservation for their passionate commitment and extraordinary contributions to preserving and protecting the world’s shared cultural heritage,” said Bénédicte de Montlaur, President and CEO, World Monuments Fund. “This year, we are thrilled to honor Elizabeth Alexander, Suzanne Deal Booth, and Christian Louboutin, three extraordinary leaders with a shared passion for cultural heritage and the impact that steadfast leadership can have on cultural heritage sites and their communities around the world.”

Dr. Paul M. Farber (Director, Monument Lab) will present the Hadrian Award to Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation, for the organization’s longstanding commitment to empowering communities through initiatives like The Monuments Project. Decorated poet, educator, memoirist, scholar, and cultural advocate, Dr. Elizabeth Alexander is president of the nation's largest funder in arts and culture, and humanities in higher education. With more than two decades of experience leading innovative programs in education, philanthropy, and beyond, Dr. Alexander builds partnerships at Mellon to support the arts and humanities while strengthening educational institutions and cultural organizations across the world.

Michael Govan (CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)), will present the Hadrian Award to Suzanne Deal Booth for her extraordinary commitment to global conservation projects. Deal Booth has supported the recognition, preservation, and conservation of visual arts and cultural heritage for more than three decades. In 1998, Deal Booth founded the Friends of Heritage Preservation (FoHP), a private charitable group dedicated to protecting and preserving cultural and artistic heritage, which has more than 80 preservation and conservation projects in 18 countries around the world. In 2001, Deal Booth and her family established the Suzanne Deal Booth Rome Prize for Historic Preservation and Conservation at the American Academy in Rome, and in 2016, she established the Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize at The Contemporary Austin. Today, Deal Booth is also a vintner, reimagining Bella Oaks, a historic estate in Napa Valley.

Diane von Furstenberg (Founder, DVF, and Author) will present the Hadrian Award to Christian Louboutin for his dedication to cultural heritage and engagement in Egypt. Designer Christian Louboutin established his business in the heart of Paris in 1992, first with a collection for Women, followed a few years later by a Men’s collection, both recognizable by their signature red sole. 2014 welcomed the launch of Christian Louboutin Beauté. The company now counts more than 150 points of sale worldwide. Passionate about arts and crafts from all over the world, his love for the Egyptian pharaonic culture led him to become a major funder of the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, included on the World Monuments Watch in 1998 and 2004.

Returning to an in-person fundraiser for the first time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, WMF will host a series of events leading up to the 33rd Hadrian Gala, including the World Monuments Summit on October 22, which will feature panels and discussions with keynote speakers about WMF’s work at sites around the world. Speakers include Christian Louboutin, archaeologist Hourig Sourouzian, architect Sumayya Vally (Counterspace), and photographer Susan Meiselas (Magnum Foundation). Meiselas will introduce a new global collaboration between WMF and Magnum Foundation aimed at showcasing the talents of emerging, local photographers from underrepresented communities, and match 12 photographers with 12 cultural heritage sites chosen for WMF’s 2022 World Monuments Watch.

Since 1965, WMF has raised $300 million to support more than 700 diverse cultural heritage sites across 112 countries. Central to these efforts is the World Monuments Watch, established by WMF in 1996 to support 25 heritage sites of extraordinary significance around the globe that face pressing challenges every two years. To date, WMF has contributed more than $110 million toward projects at more than 300 Watch sites. Since the program’s inception, the Watch has been a proven tool for raising awareness about heritage places in need of protection and galvanizing action and support for their preservation.

The 2022 Hadrian Gala is made possible by the generosity of Christian Louboutin and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Additional support provided by Saks Fifth Avenue and in-kind support provided by Champagne Taittinger and Christie's.

What:

World Monuments Fund’s 33rd annual Hadrian Gala

When:

Monday, October 24, 2022

Where:

Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor, New York, NY 10112

Honorees:

Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, Suzanne Deal Booth, and Christian Louboutin 

Hosts:

Co-Chairs Lorna B. Goodman and Phoebe Tudor, as well as Honorary Co-Chairs Mel Chin, Pierre Lagrange, Diane von Furstenberg. 

Confirmed attendees:

Lorna Goodman (Chair of the Board of Trustees, World Monuments Fund) and Edwin Goodman, Phoebe Tudor (Co-Chair); Honorees Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, Suzanne Deal Booth, Christian Louboutin, Honorary Co-Chairs Mel Chin, Pierre Lagrange, Diane von Furstenberg; H.E. Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Brook Berlind, Bonnie Brennan, Susan and François de Menil, Mark Fletcher, Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels, Glenn Koh and Jennifer Yu, Suzanne Cole Kohlberg, Deborah Lehr, Monika McLennan, Donna and Benjamin Rosen, Hélène Marie and Jake Shafran, Anthony V. Thompson, Annabelle Selldorf, Elbrun and Peter Kimmelman, Fairfax Dorn and Marc Glimcher, Prince Amyn Aga Khan, and Pauline Eveillard.

 

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About the Hadrian Gala

Each year, World Monuments Fund’s Hadrian Gala honors champions of conservation for their passionate commitment and extraordinary contributions to preserving and protecting the world’s shared cultural heritage. Since 1988, World Monuments Fund has presented the Hadrian Award to recognize leadership that advances the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of the world’s art and architecture. 

Previous Hadrian Award honorees include: Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, and HRH Princess Dana Firas (2019); Prince Amyn Aga Khan, of the Aga Khan Development Network, and Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler (2018); Deborah Lehr (2017); The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) (2016); Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain (2015); Mica Ertegün (2014); Roberto Hernández Ramírez (2013); Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO, American Express (2012); Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder (2011); Ratan Tata and the Tata Family (2010); David Rockefeller Jr. (2009); Houghton, Doreen and Graeme Freeman (2008); Rahmi Koç and the Koç Family (2007); His Highness The Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar-Jodhpur (2006); The Right Honourable John Julius, The Viscount Norwich (2005); Carlos Slim Helú (2004); Eugene V. Thaw (2003); Hélène and Michel David-Weill (2002); The Honorable James D. Wolfensohn (2001); Harvey Golub (2000); Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover K.G., Hon. Simon Sainsbury, and Sir Timothy Sainsbury (1999); Richard Hampton Jenrette (1998); Phyllis Lambert (1997); His Highness The Aga Khan (1996); Lord Rothschild (1995); David Rockefeller, Sr. (1994); Dominique de Ménil (1993); Marella and Giovanni Agnelli (1992); Mrs. Vincent Astor (1991); His Majesty King Charles III (1990); Paul Mellon (1989); and Carlo De Benedetti (1988).

 

About World Monuments Fund

World Monuments Fund is the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places to enrich lives and build mutual understanding. For more than 55 years, working at more than 700 sites in 112 countries, its highly skilled experts have applied proven and effective techniques to the preservation of important architectural and cultural heritage sites around the globe. Through the World Monuments Watch—a biennial, nomination-based program—WMF uses cultural heritage conservation to empower communities and improve human well-being. In partnership with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF seeks to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future generations. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has offices and affiliates worldwide. 

Visit www.wmf.org for more information, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

Media Contacts:

Judith Walker, jwalker@wmf.org

Evan Lenox, evan@culturalcounsel.com