We have established a Multicultural Advisory Committee composed of New York's Hispanic, Latino, African American, American Indian, South Asian, and Asian American cultural leaders and organizations, which meet on a regular basis with the Museum's staff to pursue these goals. The Committee articulates a strategy for establishing a mutually beneficial alliance between the local community and Museum whereby interest in the Museum is fostered among the Committee's constituents and the greater community.

Following are ways in which we bring these goals to fruition:

• Offer receptions, tours, gallery talks, and lectures, all inspired by our multicultural collection.
• Support and participate in many cultural and civic events that affect the African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American communities in New York.
• Continue our collaborative efforts through special programs and joint events with The Studio Museum in Harlem, El Museo del Barrio, The New-York Historical Society, and the New York Times Community Affairs Department. Through these joint ventures we expose guests from participating institution to the wealth of each collection.

Strengthening our efforts through the media is also part of our objective. We are expanding our Initiative to community papers, radio, and eventually television through advertising, press releases, and media alerts. An important communication vehicle is our Multicultural Community Newsletter, which highlights information and exhibitions of special interest to the Multicultural community.

We have also implemented two new initiatives—The Mentoring Program and the College Marketing Group—described below.

Mentoring Program

The Mentoring Program is designed to encourage college juniors from diverse backgrounds to pursue museum careers.

Mentees are assigned to one of the Museum's departments for 10 weeks during the summer and receive an honorarium. The Mentoring Program also pairs mentees with Museum mentors who provide career guidance and support.

This program extends an inclusive and informative hand to the college community at large, and provides new opportunities to college students interested in museum careers. In turn, mentees spread the word at their universities about the Museum and its internship programs.

College Group at the Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's College Group is an initiative dedicated to reaching college-age audiences in the greater New York area. The College Group at the Met is a committee of local college students who assist the Museum in this endeavor by effectively reaching out to their peers through the planning and execution of targeted events and other programming. The mission of the Group is to alert local students to Museum's collection and programming, to connect campus communities with the Museum, and ultimately to increase student attendance at and engagement with the Met.

The Museum remains dedicated to realizing its full potential as New York's preeminent cultural center. As the Metropolitan looks toward its future, the importance of audience development cannot be overstated. It requires an ongoing commitment, in order to fulfill this institution's founding mission: to educate and inspire its visitors and the community that it serves.

Awards and Distinctions

Fall 2004–Winter 2005: Donna Sutton, Senior Audience Development Officer, received a proclamation from the New York City Council for her community leadership. She was featured in CaribNews's Salute to Women Achievers. She was also honored with the 2004 Beacon Award for the Arts by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Fall 2003: Donna Sutton and the Museum were honored with the Robert Mangum Leadership Award by 100 Black Men, Inc.

Spring 2003: Donna Sutton was honored with the 2003 Women's History Award from the Miracle Makers, Inc. in recognition of the Initiative's positive impact on New York City community life.

Winter 2003: Donna Sutton was selected by the National Basketball Association, New Jersey Nets, and CMC Communications as an honoree at the first Annual Black History Month Salute to African-American Community Leaders in recognition of her empowering involvement in the African American community throughout the metropolitan New York and New Jersey area.

Fall 2002: The Museum was honored with the National Black MBA Association's Award for Cultural Achievement.

To learn more about the Multicultural Audience Development Initiative or to be added to our mailing list, please email audience.development@metmuseum.org.

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