The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science has announced that it will honor Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez with the 2018 Visionary Award during the second annual Celebration of Science: The Power of Light gala fundraiser presented by The Miller Family Foundation on Saturday, May 5, taking place at the museum’s campus in Downtown Miami.
The award recognizes and celebrates a commitment to the community through visionary leadership that enhances scientific, technological and/or educational excellence. Past Visionary Award honorees include The Batchelor Foundation founder George E. Batchelor, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the event, which directly supports the museum’s exhibitions and programs. This year’s gala theme, The Power of Light, will feature a uniquely curated evening that includes musical entertainment, live animal encounters, culinary delights, dazzling displays of science and mind-bending illusions and activations around the entire museum.
A recognition ceremony and award presentation for Mayor Gimenez will take place during the event’s VIP Pre-Party (6:30-7:30 p.m.), the first of three unique experiences which also include a Main Event (7:30-10 p.m.) and Laser Lounge (10 p.m. to midnight).
“I am honored to be the recipient of the Visionary Award. Technology improves our lives, and that is why I have been focused on enhancing our county government’s technological capabilities to better serve our residents and visitors,” Mayor Gimenez said.
“A vital part of this effort is ensuring that Miami-Dade County has access to a world-class, state-of-the-art science museum that educates and inspires our children and families for years to come. We live in an era of increased global competition, and it is essential that we provide our future generations a dynamic center of knowledge, technology and imagination,” he added.
The Celebration of Science also marks an impactful first year of Frost Science. The institution has received more than 800,000 visitors (as of March 2018) and boasts over 30,000 member households in just nine months. The institution has welcomed six new special exhibitions since opening, treated 400 animals in its Batchelor Wildlife Center clinic and launched enhanced programs such as “Just For Me Mornings,” tailored to special needs audiences.
Last year’s inaugural Celebration of Science welcomed 750 guests and raised over $1.2 million for the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.
For sponsorship opportunities and ticket information, visit frostscience.org/celebratescience or send email to celebratescience@frostscience.org.
