ICOM-US International Service Citation

Recipients

The International Service Citation recognizes individuals or organizations that have made a commitment to advance the cause of museum-based international relations, have played an important role in the collaboration between U.S. museums and those abroad, and have had a significant impact on the museum field.

2011

W. Richard (Rick) West, Jr. is the 2011 recipient of the ICOM-US International Service Citation.

The nominating committee noted that Rick’s leadership—both as the founding director of the National Museum of the American Indian, in leadership roles in ICOM and ICOM-US, and as a professional museum colleague at large in the world—has been exemplary and inspiring. His work continues to advance the cause of museums worldwide, and his leadership is unflagging. Rick’s expertise and inspiring leadership have affected individuals, institutions and associations far and wide. Here are some quotes from supporters of his nomination.

"West's leadership [at NMAI] brought about new relationships between museums and the Native peoples of the Americas. The resulting institution has become a model for museums striving to fulfill their promise as civic institutions of using their resources to engage their communities, educate and build respect for people and cultures worldwide."

"Just as the world's indigenous peoples have traditionally moved over this earth unhindered by today's political boundaries, Rick West reached beyond our national boundaries in his dedication to the heritage of all peoples. As the chair of the AAM board and subsequently, the ICOM-US board, Rick was a powerful voice arguing for the internationalization of the U.S. museum community. He recognized the International Council of Museums as the organization that embodied his dream. Rick's dedication to ICOM has shown our colleagues worldwide that the United States stands with them in giving cultural heritage its rightful place on the world stage.”

"Mr. West has contributed to the development and the modernization of the International Council of Museums, through the several positions occupied in our organisation as member of the International Committee for Management (INTERCOM), Member of the ICOM Cross Cultural Task Force and of the Ethics Committee as well as Vice-President of the ICOM Executive Council."

"He saw museums in the global arena as agents of reconciliation, forums for multiple perspectives and vehicles for engagement. The relevance of museums to their constituents was a measure of their value. He was persuasive and passionate."

2010 International Coalition of Sites of Conscience

2009 Jillian Poole

2008 Diane Perlov, Terry Drayman-Weisser, & Phyllis Rabineau

2007 Corine A. Wegener

2005 Western Museums Association

View the criteria and nomination form.