OMA Award Spotlight – Georgia Welles

Recognizing excellence in Ohio museums during Arts and Humanities Month

To help celebrate October as Arts and Humanities Month, and to kick-off the call for nominations for this year's OMA awards, the Ohio Museums Association is highlighting our 2016 OMA Award of Achievement winners throughout the month with our OMA Award Spotlight. 

Click here to see our previous award spotlight articles.

The Awards of Achievement are presented to reflect the outstanding quality and caliber of work by Ohio museums and their professionals in two categories: Institutional Achievement Awards and Individual Achievement Awards.

Nominations for these awards are incredibly detailed. This in-depth process helps to illustrate how these institutions and individuals have gone “above and beyond” the normal call of duty to support their institution, serve their public and advance the cause of the museum community.

Each year, the review panel is overwhelmed by the outstanding projects, innovative programming and dedication to our field as exhibited in each of the institutional and individual nominations. Congratulations again to each of our award winners! 

Today we'll be featuring our winner for the 2016 award for Museum Advocate.

Georgia Welles – The Toledo Museum of Art

The name Georgia Welles is nearly synonymous with the fine arts in Toledo, especially at her home institution of the Toledo Museum of Art.

A tireless supporter of the arts, Georgia is active in collecting and donor groups across the country, including the National Gallery of Art; a long-time member of the Ohio Arts Council and winner of the Governor’s Award of the Arts in Ohio; has served on the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, Bowling Green State University and many other organizations.

But her advocacy for the Toledo Museum of Art is truly remarkable. As a founder of the Apollo Society (now The Georgia Welles Apollo Society), Georgia helped lead the charge in raising more than $6.5 million which has purchased 58 marvelous works of art, was instrumental in creating a sculpture garden for the museum’s downtown urban landscape, and played a vital role in the addition of the world-renowned Glass Pavilion.

Georgia Welles exemplifies the kind of committed lifelong advocate each of our institutions wishes we could call upon for leadership and for the support of initiatives in our own museums.

One colleague wrote, “It is impossible to imagine the museum’s continued success and grandeur without her commitment of time, treasure and wisdom. She asks for nothing, yet gives beyond all expectations.”

Do you know someone who has consistently promoted the growth and sustainability of Ohio museums? Be sure to nominate them for the 2017 award for Museum Advocate! Learn more here.

Support OMA with your
tax-deductible donation!

A contribution to the Ohio Museums Association will help us continue to provide important programs and services to Ohio’s Museums.