BOSTON, MA – October 22, 2024 – The Boston Public Library (BPL) is pleased to announce Theodore (Ted) C. Landsmark as the 2024 recipient of the Druker Award Celebrating Design and Architecture. The Druker Award is presented annually to a leader who has made outstanding and important contributions to the world of design; each award recipient shares insights on the world of Architecture and Design at a corresponding lecture. This year’s event will take place on November 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in Rabb Lecture Hall on the lower level of the Boylston Street building. The event is free and open to the public.
Ted Landsmark is a renowned civic planner, civil rights advocate, and educator. He currently serves on the leadership committee of Northeastern University’s Faculty Senate and directs the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, where he oversees research on topics such as housing, gentrification, economic development, and civic engagement. His work and leadership continue to shape Boston and the national landscape.
"It is an honor to bestow the Druker Award upon Ted Landsmark, whose visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to civic engagement, urban planning, education, and equity have left a lasting mark on the city of Boston and beyond,” said BPL President David Leonard. “Ted’s insights into the power of architecture and public space continue to inspire us at the BPL, where we strive to build equitable and transformative spaces for all.”
In his academic career, Dr. Landsmark teaches courses on community engagement, policy planning, racial equity, and civic justice. His extensive research spans topics including diversity in environmental design, historic preservation, resilience, and African American artisanry. Each year, he also convenes a conference on equitable policy engagement.
Ted Landsmark will be in conversation with BPL President David Leonard, discussing the reimagining of urban public libraries, transformative civic spaces, and building equitable cities. The event will feature opening remarks by Ronald M. Druker, President of The Druker Company, LTD, and will conclude with an audience Q&A.
"Ted is a friend whom I've known personally since we were both beginning our careers. I've valued our many years of friendship and admire Ted's many achievements and impact on the physical quality and design of Boston and other cities. His contributions to architecture, urban design, education, and civic advocacy embody the very spirit of The Druker Award," said Ronald M. Druker, President and CEO of The Druker Company, LTD. "His work has advanced not only the physical environment of our cities but also the social fabric that ties them together. We are proud to honor Ted's legacy of leadership and innovation."
Dr. Landsmark has had an extensive career that includes serving as President and CEO of the Boston Architectural College, where he transformed the institution into an internationally recognized design school. He was also Mayor Walsh’s first appointee to the Boston Planning and Development Agency’s Board of Directors, where he has contributed his expertise in urban design, architecture, and civic leadership.
His distinguished career includes faculty and administrative roles at institutions like MIT, Harvard, UMass Boston, and Massachusetts College of Art. He has served as President of both the National Architectural Accrediting Board and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. Dr. Landsmark’s board service spans numerous cultural and civic organizations, including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Trustees of Reservations, and the Leventhal Map Center.
To register for the Druker Award & Lecture, visit: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6703e514750fa7242a61cd9c.
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ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large, free municipal library in the United States; the first public library to lend books; the first to have a branch library; and the first to have a children’s room.
The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.
The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public. The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu. To learn more, visit bpl.org.
