Caroline Baumann, director of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, has announced the selection of Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, as the Director’s Award recipient of the 2018 National Design Awards.“Unlike the other National Design Awards, which are selected by an interdisciplinary jury of design leaders and educators, the Director’s Award is chosen by Baumann in recognition of outstanding support and patronage within the design community. The 2018 award recipients will be honored at a gala dinner and ceremony on October 18, in the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden at Cooper Hewitt,” the museum informs.In his description of Walker’s contribution, Baumann said: “With a courageous vision for fighting social inequality, Darren has long been a champion of design as a democratizing force for good and a problem-solving catalyst for change.”“I am delighted to recognize Darren for his inspiring leadership and unwavering support of organizations across all spheres of influence who are working to build an inclusive and strong civil society around the world,” he further added.“Cooper Hewitt shows us that design is an incredibly powerful force in the world today. It is through smart, creative design that we can find unusual, inspiring ways to tackle some of the most urgent issues of our time, from healthcare to housing to the right to vote. From its groundbreaking ‘Design for the Other 90%’ exhibition series to its efforts to build a more accessible museum for people with disabilities, Cooper Hewitt is sparking a national dialogue about design innovation that is grounded in inclusivity and encouraging us all to embrace design as a way to challenge inequality,” Walker commented.As president of the Ford Foundation, Walker oversees international social justice philanthropy with a $13 billion endowment and $600 million in annual grant making. For two decades, he has been a leader in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. “Walker led the philanthropy committee that helped bring a resolution to the city of Detroit’s historic bankruptcy (2013–2014), and chairs the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance,” the museum says.Established in 2000 as a project of the White House Millennium Council, the National Design Awards are accompanied annually by National Design Week, which takes place this year on October 13-21. “A variety of public education programs will be offered at the museum as well as across the country, including special events, panel discussions and workshops for students, teachers, corporate professionals, designers and Cooper Hewitt’s dedicated audience,” the museum adds.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/                              Founder: Louise Blouin Read more