The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) has received a generous gift from Joseph, Judith, and Susan Conda to fund the Conda Family Manager of Access Initiatives. This position advances TMA’s goal of being the model for belonging within the art museum world. Not only will this gift cover operating expenses through 2028, but it will also create an endowment to sustain the role beyond that point. The Ability Center of Greater Toledo and the Conda family have both contributed to the funding of the role thus far. This gift has enabled TMA to center access in its culture and programming, creating a lasting impact.
The Conda Family has also provided long-term support for the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras, making admission free for all attendees. Additionally, their generosity has been extended to the Toledo Zoo through the ZOOTeens program and the Zoo for All initiative, as well as the Joseph and Judith Conda Family School Readiness Room at the Toledo Library. With this remarkable contribution, the Conda family is demonstrating their commitment to enriching the lives of countless individuals in the community.
Joseph and Judith’s daughter, Susan Conda, expressed her vision for the Toledo Museum of Art, saying “I would like TMA to be a place where anyone feels welcome, valued, and wanted.” Katie Shelley, the newly appointed inaugural manager of access, is passionate about her role in making this vision a reality. With a master’s degree in liberal studies with a focus on disability studies from the University of Toledo, as well as a bachelor’s of arts in English from Western Michigan University and a master’s of library science from Wayne State University, she is well-suited to lead the way in creating an accessible, inclusive space at the museum.
She is a member of the Ohio Olmstead Task Force, and the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council, and served as an adjunct instructor for the Disability Studies Program at the University of Toledo in the Fall of 2022. Shelley has worked hard to make strides towards making TMA more accessible, with initiatives such as a first-of-its-kind sensory area at the museum’s annual block party, new interpretive elements in the galleries to make art more accessible to those who are blind or have low vision, and training for staff and volunteers on how to interact with people with disabilities. Katie Shelley is proud to be part of the team leading the charge in creating a culture of belonging and acceptance at the Toledo Museum of Art.
This magnificent gift from the Conda family to the Toledo Museum of Art serves as a testament to their deep commitment to improving access and opportunity in their local community. Through long-term financial commitments, as well as leveraging their resources for meaningful cultural, educational, and music-related initiatives, this inspirational family sets an admirable example of helping others, benefitting multiple generations at once from Toledo to beyond. We are most grateful for their generosity and support in driving forward our shared societal objectives with creativity and zeal.
