Michael Tilson Thomas Honored By The Museum Of Performance + Design For Outstanding Leadership In The Arts

The Board of the Museum of Performance + Design takes great pleasure in announcing that Michael Tilson Thomas will be presented with the 2019 San Francisco Arts Medallion for his outstanding leadership in the arts on May 14, 2019, at Saint Joseph's Arts Society in San Francisco. The San Francisco Arts Medallion was created in 2005 by the Museum of Performance + Design (MP+D) to recognize those individuals whose leadership, action, and generosity have benefited the cultural life of the San Francisco Bay Area. Proceeds from the event benefit the preservation and educational programs at MP+D.

Under MTT's trailblazing leadership, the San Francisco Symphony has cemented its place as one of our country's premier orchestras. Together, MTT and the Symphony have won a dozen Grammy Awards, created the landmark Keeping Score PBS television series and multimedia project, and launched the critically acclaimed SoundBox experimental concert space within Davies Symphony Hall. Committed to young people and music education, in 1987 MTT founded the New World Symphony, a national training orchestra for the most gifted US conservatory graduates. His many honors include the National Medal of Arts and the President's Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

"Michael's power and passion for music has been a tremendous gift to the city," said MP+D Board President and Event Co-Chair Pattie Lawton. "We are honored and thrilled to present Michael with the 2019 San Francisco Arts Medallion. We are also grateful to welcome The Honorable Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi as our Honorary Co-Chairs for this year's event."

"It's my great privilege to pay tribute and honor this extraordinarily talented friend," added Event Co-Chair Ken Fulk, who founded Saint Joseph's Arts Society as a haven and a source of inspiration that provides high-touch experiences and multi-disciplinary arts programming designed to bring art and beauty back into the forefront of people's lives.

Past Arts Medallion Honorees include Stanlee Gatti (2005), Gordon Getty (2006), Diane B. Wilsey (2007), Mr. & Mrs. George F. Jewett, Jr. (2008), Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. (2009), Nancy Hellman Bechtle (2010), Delia F. Ehrlich (2011), Roselyne Chroman Swig (2012), John Goldman (2013), Frederica von Stade (2015), Robert Mailer Anderson & Nion McEvoy (2016), Carl & Yurie Pascarella (2017), and Tony Taccone (2018).

Event details: 2019 Arts Medallion Cocktail Reception and Ceremony
Honoring Michael Tilson Thomas May 14, 2019 Saint Joseph's Arts Society 1401 Howard St., San Francisco 5:30 pm Cocktail Reception 6:15 pm Music 6:30 pm Presentation Tickets from $195 Info & RSVP: mpdsf.org or 415.741.3531.