Press Release

Tucson, AZ – Tucson Museum of Art (TMA) is pleased to honor James J. and Louise R. Glasser with the museum’s 2020 Ambassador Circle Lifetime Achievement Award.

Launched in 2017, the Ambassador Circle Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the career of an artist, patron or community member who has demonstrated a passion for and commitment to the advancement of the arts in southern Arizona and the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block. Previous recipients include Andy Anderson (2019), Thomas Philabaum (2018) and Jim Waid (2017). Each year nominations for the award are reviewed and the recipient selected by a panel that includes members of TMA’s Leadership Circle—the museum’s foremost philanthropic membership group—and museum staff.

“It is a pleasure to work closely with Jim and Louise, who attend and support every event we hold at the museum,” said TMA CEO Jeremy Mikolajczak. “As volunteers, members and benefactors, they give in every way and actively work to ensure that TMA is here to serve our region now and for generations to come. They give with their hearts, privately and sincerely.”

Jim and Louise Glasser have a long history of civic philanthropy in Tucson where they have been actively involved in Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, University of Arizona, Sonoran Institute, Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona, and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. They genuinely care about Tucson’s nonprofit organizations and celebrate the successes of all.

True philanthropists, Jim and Louise give their time and treasure with full and selfless hearts, inspiring those around them to embrace charitable giving. Their lead gift to renovate TMA galleries led the way for others and resulted in $1.1 million in naming gifts.

Jim Glasser has served on TMA’s Board of Trustees since 2004. When it was decided that the gala was too large an event for TMA staff to run, Jim and Louise stepped up to chair the gala. They took pride and pleasure in every detail and ensured its success as they chaired the event for four years. In 2012 they endowed a curator position, creating the Glasser Curator of Art of the American West. The position is held by Senior Curator Christine Brindza.

The Glassers received the Ambassador Circle Lifetime Achievement Award on January 29, 2020, at an event held in their honor. The annual Ambassador Circle Dinner was held in the Palice Gallery of European Art at TMA and was hosted by the TMA Leadership Circle Committee. Sixty Ambassador Circle members joined museum staff to commend the Glassers for their contributions to the arts in the community.

About TMA Leadership Circle
TMA Leadership Circle members support and sustain Tucson Museum of Art’s permanent collection, exhibitions and programs. In appreciation for this support, Leadership Circle members enjoy exclusive programming invitations to meet prominent guests and VIP service.
For more information or to join the Leadership Circle, contact Andrea Dillenburg, Chief Development Officer, at adillenburg@TucsonMuseumofArt.org or 520-616‐2694. TMA Leadership Circle is generously supported by Splendido at Rancho Vistoso.