Joyce Cowin spent many of her 93 years supporting the arts.

In her younger years, she led museum and gallery tours, and later helped save the Museum of American Folk Art.

And she was instrumental in opening the New York Historical Society’s Women’s History Center, which at the time was the only gallery dedicated to women’s art in the city.

Throughout it all, she supported her husband, Daniel Cowin, as he collected photography of all types, including African American works of everyday life.

“He was so ahead of his time. He would take what is thoroughly out of style, and guess what? Five years later, that's the big thing.“ Joyce Cowin said.

Before he died at 70 in 1992, Daniel donated his large collection of African American vernacular photography to the International Center of Photography where he was a member of the Board of Trustees.

“We were very fortunate to have Daniel Cowin give that collection to ICP,” David E. Little, Executive Director of ICP said. “It's such an incredible resource to young scholars who can now look at those pictures and really understand certain things about history and society that otherwise would have been lost.”

Joyce Cowin has continued Daniel Cowin’s strong support of the ICP, and the center has honored her with its 2023 Infinity Awards: Trustee Award.

Joyce Cowin said she’s thrilled to receive the recognition, and she’ll be accepting it in honor of her late husband.

“I'm so happy that finally he is getting some recognition,” Joyce Cowin said. “He'd be very happy. I think he would say, ‘Thank you so much for being interested in what I have collected.”

We were very fortunate to have Daniel Cowin give that collection to ICP. It's such an incredible resource to young scholars who can now look at those pictures and really understand certain things about history and society that otherwise would have been lost. - David E. Little

Most of my life is joyful. I had a marvelous husband. - Joyce Cowin

Since 1985, the International Center of Photography has recognized outstanding achievements in photography with its prestigious Infinity Awards. The awards ceremony is also ICP’s primary fundraising benefit, with its revenues assisting the center's various programs.

Harbers Studios commissioned MediaStorm, on behalf of ICP, to create a short film about each of the recipients to screen at the awards ceremony and to display online. The films pay tribute to the contributions of each artist to the craft and field of photography and demonstrate ICP's commitment to them.

As a privately funded nonprofit arts and education organization, ICP depends in large part on friends such as you for support. Your generosity is vital to ICP as it continues to grow and succeed in its mission: to present photography's extraordinary power to the public.

There are many ways to give to ICP: Donate to the Annual Fund, create a scholarship, sponsor exhibitions and education programs, contribute to the Collection, or make a planned gift.