Maria Manetti Shrem
Philanthropist and Patron of the Arts Maria Manetti Shrem is one of ArtSmart’s most generous and steadfast supporters, having pledged $1 million in critical funding through 2029. The Maria Manetti Shrem Mentors are named in honor of her transformative and historic donation that will catapult ArtSmart’s impact on a national scale.
Since ArtSmart’s inception in 2016, Ms. Manetti Shrem has been an emphatic supporter and patron. Without her commitment, ArtSmart would not be where it is today.
“When you support ArtSmart, you not only support an outstanding educational platform in the music world, but you are contributing to forging better generations, building better societies, and making this world a better place.”
— Maria Manetti Shrem
Maria Manetti Shrem with ArtSmart Co-Founder Michael Fabiano
Maria Manetti with ArtSmart Co-Founder Michael Fabiano and Board Member Nadine Sierra
Mentorship and Inspiration
“Having a mentor and access to an education gave me the confidence to achieve and live life to the fullest. I was in touch with my mentor until her death. That is why every aspect of my charity is towards education. I am very proud that ArtSmart teaching-artists will be called the Maria Manetti Shrem Mentors.” –Maria Manetti Shrem
Born in Florence, Italy, Maria Manetti Shrem moved to San Francisco in 1972. She became instrumental in the internationalization of some of the world’s most iconic fashion brands, such as Gucci and Fendi.
But not without the support of her mentors. Manetti Shrem attributes much of her success to her mentor, who fostered her talent, and to her mother, who made financial sacrifices to provide Manetti Shrem with continuing education during a time when most working families sent their children to work after elementary school.
“Having a mentor and access to an education gave me the confidence to achieve and live life to the fullest. I was in touch with my mentor until her death. That is why every aspect of my charity is geared towards education. I am very proud that ArtSmart teaching artists will be called the Maria Manetti Shrem Mentors,” said Manetti Shrem.
Maria Manetti Shrem and her husband, Jan Shrem, have long contributed philanthropic support in the US, Italy, and the UK to more than 45 charitable programs through 30 foundations. In the US these include UC Davis, the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the San Francisco Opera, Festival Napa Valley, the San Francisco Symphony, SFMoMA, KQED, Cal Performances, SFFilm, and hospitals such as UCSF (neurology, orthopedics) and CPMC (cardiology). In Europe, Maria is one of the principal benefactors of the Prince’s Foundation, Royal Drawing School, Friends of the Louvre, the Venetian Heritage, the Italian National Trust (FAI), Palazzo Strozzi Foundation, ArtSmart, Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.
The Manetti Shrems are co-founders of the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis. The museum’s extraordinary architectural design was listed in ARTnews as “One of The World’s 25 Best Museum Buildings of the Past 100 Years.”
Maria has received numerous prestigious awards and recognition as an outstanding and influential cultural ambassador between Italy and the USA, and as a world-class philanthropist: Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy; The Keys of the City of Florence; The Angels of the Arts Award from the Festival Napa Valley; The Spirit of the Opera Award from San Francisco Opera; the 2023 UC Davis Medal honors degree as the major philanthropist of the arts at UC Davis. The City and the County of San Francisco proclaimed June 22, Manetti Shrem Day for Philanthropy.
Maria Manetti Shrem poses with Maria Manetti Shrem Mentor
Sarah Nadreau and students Jim and Cairah.
San Francisco Students Speak About ArtSmart:
“I love ArtSmart because it is a program that allows students to discover their personal and unique talents. Having a private lesson every week ensures a successful learning process in the arts and also opens the door for imagination and self assessment.”
ALBERT MONTANEZ, SAN FRANCISCO MENTOR
