In Conversation with Dr. Marilyn Chandler Ford
For decades, Dr. Marilyn Chandler Ford has championed education, community, and the arts. A former faculty member in Niagara University’s Criminal Justice and Criminology Program from 1981–1986, Ford has become one of the Castellani Art Museum’s most dedicated supporters, helping expand access to the visual arts through philanthropy, advocacy, and long-term vision. In this conversation for The CAM Magazine, Ford reflects on her lifelong connection to museums, the importance of cultural institutions, and why investing in CAM’s future matters now more than ever.
Castellani Art Museum: What first drew you to the Castellani Art Museum?
Marilyn Chandler Ford: Growing up, I was the child who loved museums and the visual arts. That interest stayed with me into adulthood and even led me to serve on the board of a museum in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 2019, after my husband passed away, I established a memorial fund at Niagara University in his name, I began working with Marilyn Koren in Institutional Advancement. Through those conversations, we discussed the Castellani Art Museum.
For me, CAM represents something very important: the natural relationship between a university and a full-time art museum. Each enriches the other. The aspirational power of higher education and artistic endeavors is both symbiotic and exponential.
CAM: What keeps you engaged and committed to CAM’s mission today?
MCF: It’s basic: CAM’s programming, its commitment to community connections, and the staff who keep it all running. Donors don’t continue to step forward unless they have confidence in what a museum is offering and how it is managed.
CAM: How do you see the role of philanthropy in supporting museums and the arts?
“I believe CAM is a jewel in Niagara University’s crown.” — Marilyn Chandler Ford
MCF: I firmly believe philanthropy—private initiatives for the public good—is integral to a community’s quality of life. Art museums provide unique opportunities for learning and understanding social, cultural, political, and intellectual ideas.
Without private support, whether financial contributions, volunteerism, professional expertise, or other forms of involvement, local arts organizations struggle to survive. To truly prosper, museums need supporters willing to commit for the long term.
CAM: What does it mean to support both exhibitions and community programming?
MCF: Exhibitions and programming are distinct but connected parts of a museum’s mission. Exhibitions can be seen as a more static presentation of an artist’s vision, while programming creates a dynamic experience around the work. Together, they offer museum visitors a broader and more responsive way to engage with art.
CAM: What inspired your recent contributions and the Match Marilyn campaign?
MCF: My desire has always been simple: to open the world of art to others. Growing up, none of my six siblings shared my interest in museums, but over time—and especially through my involvement with CAM and helping bring the Florida Highwaymen exhibition to the museum in 2024—several of them have become interested in the visual arts.
The idea behind the match campaign was equally simple. I wanted CAM to “win” and earn every dollar possible, so I matched donations and double-matched gifts from Niagara University students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Frankly, it is remarkable what CAM has been able to accomplish through its exhibitions and community programming. I believe CAM is a jewel in Niagara University’s crown, and it requires support today, tomorrow, and into the future for that legacy to continue.
CAM: What impact do you hope your support will have on future generations?
MCF: I hope others are enriched by visiting CAM. I hope they recognize what art can do in their lives, and I hope to inspire others to support the museum as well.
CAM: What would you say to someone considering supporting CAM?
MCF: Do it. Step up. You will get more satisfaction from knowing you helped enlarge the public good at Niagara University and through supporting CAM.
