The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum was awarded the 2013 Ladislav Sutnar Prize, Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Pilsen, Czech Republic, for its contribution to the world of design and the promotion of Ladislav Sutnar’s legacy and work. The prestigious award is given on behalf of the Faculty of Art and Design of the University of West Bohemia and is chosen through public nomination, followed by a jury. Caroline Baumann, director of Cooper-Hewitt, received the award on behalf of the museum.
Cooper-Hewitt’s Sutnar archive acts as a comprehensive survey of the designer’s professionalism, artistry and innovation and serves as a critical source for design scholars and researchers. The museum’s collection includes nearly 23,000 archival items, including some design prototypes; an additional 62 three-dimensional objects, including glass, ceramics and toy block “Build the Town” prototypes; 22 two-dimensional drawings and prints; and three textiles.
As part of a broader online access initiative, the museum is currently digitizing the Sutnar archive and cataloging the collection in connection to works held throughout the world. The site will host canonical biographical records for Sutnar and other designers in the museum’s collection, connecting disparate content across the Web and drawing on the strength of the museum’s holdings.
To learn more, visit www.cooperhewitt.org.