Lindsay Smilow

Chief Advancement Officer @Bard Graduate Center: Decorative Arts, Design History, Material Culture

NY, US

As Chief Advancement Officer at Bard Graduate Center, I bring people together—donors, scholars, and the cultural community—to support BGC’s exhibitions, research, and academic programs. My team plans everything from exhibition openings and intimate donor dinners to the annual Iris Awards, which celebrate leaders in decorative arts and raise money for student scholarships. I focus on building meaningful relationships, securing funding from individuals, foundations, and government grants, and creating opportunities for alumni and supporters to stay connected. At the core of my work is helping BGC grow the resources it needs to thrive while fostering a community that champions the arts, material culture scholarship, and education through object-based learning.

The Graduate Center, City University of New York

PhD Program

City University of New York-Brooklyn College

Master’s Degree

University of Maryland College Park

BA