Annual Meeting and Arnold Ricks Award

Join the Bennington Museum Board of Trustees for our annual meeting where we will review all the successes of Bennington Museum in fiscal year 2026 that you have helped to make possible, and discuss exciting projects slated for the coming year.

This meeting, open to members and non-members alike, will also include presentation of the Arnold Ricks Award, given to an individual or organization in recognition of exceptional contributions to the Bennington community and Bennington Museum.

This year we are pleased to honor a leader in the arts community, Tom Dee, recently retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). Under his leadership, the health system attained twelve consecutive years of positive operating performance, became an institutional member of Dartmouth Health, and received numerous state and national awards for quality of care, community leadership and workplace excellence. During his tenure, Tom also made sure to give back to the community by directing SVMC’s philanthropic priorities in ways that made a local difference at Bennington Museum and beyond, and, with his late wife, Rita, through personal advocacy and volunteerism across many sectors including to equine and animal rescue efforts, Catholic charities, and the arts and culture.

“Tom has stewarded truly transformational change in the way the people of this area experience health care,” says Martin Mahoney, Executive Director. “His successful leadership guiding SVMC in modernization, expansion and financial security is an example of clear vision coupled with steady competence. Of equal or, perhaps, greater impact is Tom’s dedication as a father, husband, and truly genuine person who displays empathy, kindness, and support for all of his friends and colleagues.”

• Suggested donations of $20 will support our education programming so that we can continue to provide equitable access to the arts and culture for our youngest community members throughout the year.
• Refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres will be served in the Ada and Paul Paresky Court.
• The annual report will be available at the meeting and for download and viewing online.
• RSVP