Under the tents of the 9th annual Party in the Park on May 16, 2012, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Liff Fund Committee presented the 2012 Liff Spirit Award to Malcolm Rogers, Ann and Graham Gund Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). Over 700 guests raised more than $560,000 for the Justine Mee Liff Fund.
The Liff Spirit Award, named for Justine Mee Liff, Boston's Commissioner of Parks and Recreation from 1996 to 2002, honors the vision, wisdom, humanity and joy that Justine brought to her work as a champion of the open, green spaces that are so vital to our daily life. It is presented annually at Party in the Park to an individual or individuals whose leadership, commitment to cities, passion for public places, dedication to the democratic ideals fostered in urban parks, and ability to inspire public servants and private citizens to join together in common cause best reflects Justine's spirit and legacy.
The Justine Mee Liff Fund was established to honor the legacy of Boston's former Parks Commissioner and founder of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Justine Mee Liff. Her vision, leadership and dedication have encouraged continual restoration and enhancement of these celebrated parks.
Malcolm Rogers assumed the role of Ann and Graham Gund Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) in September 1994. During his tenure, he has presented many innovative exhibitions, enhanced arts education programs, grown the Museum’s encyclopedic collection, and enlarged the MFA’s campus. Rogers’ initiatives to welcome new audiences are motivated by the MFA’s mission: to serve a variety of people through direct encounters with works of art. Under his direction, the MFA has been transformed with the addition of the Art of Americas Wing (2010) and the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art (2011).
All proceeds of the Party in the Park go to the Liff Fund, which supports projects in the Emerald Necklace parks. Now valued at over $2 million, the fund has expended $665,000 on projects over the last nine years. The 2011-2012 project will see the restoration of the fountain and statuary in the Kelleher Rose Garden in the Back Bay Fens.
