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The University of California, Davis, celebrated the grand opening of the Maria Manetti Shrem Institute for Sustainable Design, Fashion and Textiles on Thursday, Nov. 13. The institute will further advance wearable and smart textile technologies and promote sustainability across multiple facets of design.

The institute is named after philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem, whose transformative gift of more than $20 million to the UC Davis College of Letters and Science has catalyzed what has been called an arts renaissance at the university. The institute embodies Manetti Shrem’s vision of safeguarding the arts and humanities while fostering collaboration across multiple departments.

“As a one-of-its-kind hub for creativity, the institute converges expertise from industry and academia to inspire the next generation of artists, designers and innovators,” said Shaun B. Keister,  for Development and Alumni Relations. “It unites Maria’s esteemed career in fashion and design with UC Davis’ world-class work to advance a shared priority: sustainability across all dimensions of design.”

, who has been named the inaugural Maria Manetti Shrem Endowed Chair for Sustainable Design, Fashion and Textiles, will lead the institute. Göncü-Berk envisions the institute as a hub for interdisciplinary discovery and application — a place where innovation meets responsible design. She noted that wearable technology, incorporated into lightweight and comfortable fabrics, can enhance quality of life, for example by reducing feelings of anxiety among wearers.

By fostering circular material ecosystems, advancing wearable and smart textile technologies, and championing cultural inclusivity, the institute will help position UC Davis at the forefront of sustainable design for societal and planetary well-being.

“Thanks to Maria, the institute will build upon on UC Davis’ longstanding leadership in sustainability — expanding that legacy globally through new partnerships and innovation that bridges disciplines and industries,” said . “In the coming years, UC Davis will become an unparalleled beacon for creativity and expression.”

Manetti Shrem and her philanthropy strategist and global brand director, Mauro Aprile Zanetti, joined university leaders, design students and other well-wishers at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cruess Hall to mark the official launch of the institute, which is housed in the . College of Letters and Science Dean Estella Atekwana noted that the institute seeks to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and Florence, Italy — where Manetti Shrem was born — and beyond.

A transformative gift for the arts

Manetti Shrem’s historic gift funds eight new endowments for art and design within the College of Letters and Science. In addition to the faculty chair in sustainable design and the new institute, the endowments include: 

• Two endowed academic chairs in the Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio Program,
• Graduate fellowships that will nurture the next generation of artists,
• Perpetual funding for The California Studio: Manetti Shrem Artist Residencies, which brings world-class artists to instruct and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and
• Support for the Maria Manetti Shrem Art and Art History Visual Resources Library.

UC Davis has named existing programs and spaces in her honor, including the Maria Manetti Shrem Art District, Maria Manetti Shrem Art Hall and Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio Program.

The UC Davis  is named for Manetti Shrem and her late husband, Jan Shrem. The couple gave $10 million in 2011 to establish the museum, which opened its doors in 2016. Manetti Shrem’s latest gift builds upon her continued giving over the past decade and consists of a $20 million estate gift plus an additional $800,000 annually to immediately fund the endowments, providing support in perpetuity.