Memoirs of an Immigrant Curator and Philanthropist: Experiences in Giving and Receiving

**Marica Vilcek: A Life of Art, Philanthropy, and Immigrant Advocacy**

Marica Vilcek’s journey from Czechoslovakia to becoming a renowned curator and philanthropist in the United States is a testament to resilience and dedication. Her memoir, *Giving and Receiving: Memoirs of an Immigrant Curator and Philanthropist*, recounts her extraordinary life, marked by her early aspirations thwarted by political barriers, to her pivotal 30-year career at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In 1964, amid political unrest, Marica and her husband, Jan Vilcek, defected from their home country, seeking new opportunities in New York City. Jan began his tenure at the New York University School of Medicine, while Marica carved a path in the arts by initially volunteering at the Brooklyn Museum and eventually securing a meaningful role at The Met. Rising to Associate Curator in Charge of the Accessions and Catalogue Department, Marica played an instrumental role in elevating curatorial standards, underscoring the essential relationship between art objects and those who preserve and interpret them.

Driven by a spirit of community support, Marica and Jan founded the Vilcek Foundation in 2000. This initiative was inspired by Marica’s consistent efforts to assist new immigrants and her commitment to nurturing a new generation in the museum field. To date, the foundation has granted over $17 million to deserving individuals and projects celebrating immigrant contributions to the arts and sciences in America. Additionally, the Vilceks’ personal philanthropy exceeds $330 million.

Marica remains active in the cultural community, serving as an Honorary Trustee of The Met and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts. Her collaboration with Justin Spring in co-authoring *Giving and Receiving* further amplifies her legacy, emphasizing the multidimensional contributions immigrants can make to society.

To delve deeper into Marica Vilcek’s inspiring life, her memoir is available for purchase at [bookshop.org](https://bit.ly/4aKXtVv?ref=hyperallergic.com). For more about the ongoing work and impact of the Vilcek Foundation, visit [vilcek.org](https://bit.ly/4qJZKoE?ref=hyperallergic.com).