New York, NY, November 13, 2013 — On Wednesday, November 20, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) will honor Rick Kinsel, Executive Director of the Vilcek Foundation, at the annual Visionaries! Awards for his ongoing work with the Vilcek Foundation.

The annual Visionaries! Awards honors leaders and innovators in the fields of art, design, philanthropy and business, who, through their efforts, have demonstrated foresight, imagination and a commitment to supporting creativity in all its forms.  The other honorees include artist Frank Stella, CEO Wilfried Vancraen of Materialise, and iconic jewelers and creative directors David and Sybil Yurman.

“I am humbled to be in such outstanding company as a Visionaries! Awards honoree,” said Rick Kinsel, Executive Director of the Vilcek Foundation. “The work we do at the Vilcek Foundation is as important as ever during this crucial time; we continue to drive awareness and support to foreign-born individuals who have contributed to the United States in extraordinary ways.” 

“We are honoring Rick Kinsel and the Vilcek Foundation for the expansion of philanthropic efforts into the design field,” said Glenn Adamson, Nanette L. Laitman Director of the Museum of Arts and Design. “Rick’s work in shaping the program and direction of the foundation’s efforts makes him a true Visionary.”

Such programs include the upcoming Vilcek Prizes in the Arts, which will be awarded in the field of design for the first time.  Aligned with MAD’s mission of representing contemporary creativity and the ways in which artists and designers transform materials, the annual Vilcek Foundation’s Arts awards will reflect similar tonality as four categories in design are celebrated – product design, graphic design, digital design and social design. 

The winners of the Vilcek Prizes for Design will be announced in early 2014.  

For press information about MAD’s Visionaries 2013 Gala and Awards contact Claire Laporte, press@madmuseum.org, 212-299-7737.