National Arts Club to Award Medal of Honor to the American School of Classical Studies at Athens

The School will be honored for its contributions to the field of archaeology

The National Arts Club (NAC) is thrilled to award the Medal of Honor for Achievement in Archaeology to the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA). The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the landmarked Tilden Mansion, the home of the NAC, at 15 Gramercy Park South, NYC.

“The awarding of the National Arts Club’s Gold Medal to the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, the preeminent American archaeological organization devoted solely to Hellenic culture, is richly deserved,” said Michele Kidwell Gilbert, Chair of the NAC’s Archaeology Committee. “Since 2011, the Archaeology Committee has collaborated closely with the American School, and as a result, we have been privileged to enjoy as lecturers some of the world’s most renowned archaeologists and scholars in the field.”

“We are deeply honored to receive the prestigious Medal of Honor for Achievement in Archaeology from the NAC,” said George Orfanakos, Executive Director of the American School. He added, “This recognition not only celebrates our dedication to unearthing history but also underscores the significance of preserving our cultural heritage. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the NAC for this accolade, inspiring us to continue our pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the past for the enrichment of present and future generations.”

Founded in 1881 by a consortium of nine American universities in collaboration with leading businessmen, the ASCSA is the preeminent venue for research concerning the Greek world and areas spanning the Aegean. It is the oldest and largest U.S. overseas research institution, cooperating with two hundred institutions and thousands of students and scholars. Working with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the ASCSA encourages a multidisciplinary approach entailing investigation, preservation, and promotion of Greece’s rich heritage from antiquity to the present day.

Speakers for the evening include professor and Classics scholar Mary Lefkowitz and professor and archaeologist John McK. Camp II. The program will also include a performance of “The Mediterranean,”composed by Stephen F. Pekar, and Isadora Duncan’d “Tanagra Figures,” staged by Lori Belilove.

About the American School of Classical Studies at Athens

The American School of Classical Studies at Athens is a consortium of nearly 200 North American colleges and universities. Built on land deeded by the Greek government, the School was the first American overseas research center, and it is the largest of the 19 foreign institutes in Athens. Its stated mission is “to advance knowledge of Greece of all periods…by training young scholars, sponsoring and promoting archaeological fieldwork, providing resources for scholarly work and disseminating research.” The School remains, as its founders envisioned, primarily a privately funded, nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Greece’s rich heritage.

About the National Arts Club

Founded in 1898, the National Arts Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to stimulate, foster, and promote public interest in the arts and to educate the American people in the fine arts. Annually, the Club offers more than 150 free programs—both in-person and virtually—to the public, including exhibitions, theatrical and musical performances, lectures, and readings, attracting an audience of over 30,000 in-person visitors and thousands more online. The NAC is also a proud community partner, serving the public through fellowships, concert series, youth education programs, and more. For a full list of events or to learn more, please visit nationalartsclub.org.