Minnie Untermyer Award: Aroon Shivdasani
Aroon Shivdasani is the first recipient of the Minnie Untermyer Award, which recognizes an individual who represents excellence in the arts and embraces the multicultural spirit of an Indo-Persian garden. In her role as executive and artistic director of the Indo-American Arts Council in New York City for more than 20 years, Aroon championed Indian artistic disciplines and fostered the careers of countless artists, both emerging and established. Immersed in the arts since childhood, Aroon received a bachelor’s degree in literature from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and an M.A. in literature and drama from Iona College where she later taught. Aroon is a devoted friend of Untermyer Gardens, and the Conservancy is proud to present her with the inaugural Minnie Untermyer Award.