Dr. Kenneth Montague recognized for impact on community

By RON FANFAIR
Art collector/curator Dr. Kenneth Montague is the recipient of this year’s Carl Mitchell Community Impact Award.
The honour recognizes University of Toronto (U of T) alumni who advance the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion through their extraordinary volunteer contributions to the community.
“It is a tremendous honour to receive this award, especially since it is named for someone I really admire and respect,” says Montague. “Carl Mitchell was so well regarded in both the Black and the U of T communities – incredibly smart and generous, just a legend in so many ways.”
University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) President Corwin Cambray said Montague is an exceptionally deserving recipient who fulfils the aspirations of the Carl Mitchell Community Impact Award twice over.
“To sustain that level of impact for so many people over a period of decades is remarkable enough,” he said. “But to effect this scale of change across two such divergent fields of endeavour – the fine arts and health care – is extraordinary and makes Ken such a fitting and unique honouree.”
U of T Vice-President, Advancement David Palmer said Montague exemplifies the university’s commitment to advancing rights and opportunities for equity-deserving people.
“Our foundational value of inclusive excellence rests upon our close connections to the community and our ability to support diverse populations to reach their highest potential,” says Palmer. “It is hard to imagine someone who has poured more of his heart and soul into advancing the aspirations and interests of the community than Kenneth. We are delighted to recognize him as one of our most impactful alumni and an eminently deserving recipient of the 2024 Carl Mitchell Community Impact Award.”
A former UTAA President & Treasurer, Mitchell died in 2016.
For the past 27 years, Montague has been collecting art from emerging and established Black artists.
He created Wedge Collection in 1997, considered Canada’s largest privately owned assemblage of Black art, to acquire and exhibit art that explores Black identity.