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Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
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  • Virtual

2026 Seminar on Strategy for Artist-Endowed Foundation Leaders

Feb 23 – May 12, 2026

Date

Feb 23 – May 12, 2026
1:00pm – 5:30pm EST

Location

Virtual

Contact

    [email protected]

Hosts

  1. Philanthropy and Social Innovation
  2. Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative | AEFI

Overview

The Seminar on Strategy for Artist-Endowed Foundation Leaders supports the professional development of individuals who currently have, or will have, policy-setting, governance, management, and leadership responsibilities for Artist-Endowed Foundations, including directors, officers, trustees, board members, and senior staff, as well as those supporting an artist’s stewardship planning efforts with respect to a potential foundation.

Presented annually by the Aspen Institute Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative | AEFI, the Seminar educates leaders about the characteristics of these distinctive charitable organizations, including foundations’ complex business models, diverse philanthropic practices, influential art historical roles, and manifold governance and management requirements.

The Seminar curriculum is based on findings of AEFI’s National Study of Artist-Endowed Foundations and subsequent research publications, viewable at www.aspeninstitute.org/aefi. It focuses specifically on the strategic considerations of leaders orienting themselves to the field. Site visits, case studies, and conversations with seasoned foundation directors are central to the curriculum, which is presented by scholars, experts, and AEF leaders.

2026 Seminar Dates

All Seminar activities take place online

Opening Reception

  • Monday, February 23, 5:00 to 6:30 PM EST

Opening Class

  • Tuesday, February 24, 1:00 to 3:00 PM EST

Seminar Sessions

  • Tuesday, March 3, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, March 10, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, March 17, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, March 24, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, March 31, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, April 7, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, April 14, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, April 21, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, April 28, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST
  • Tuesday, May 5, 1:00 to 5:30 PM EST

Closing Class

  • Tuesday, May 12, 1:00 to 3:00 PM EST

Closing Celebration

  • Tuesday, May 12, 5:00 to 6:30 PM EST

Seminar Location

The 2026 Seminar will take place online, hosted virtually by the Dedalus Foundation (Robert Motherwell), Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts (Ernest Graham), Valerie J. Maynard Foundation, Joan Mitchell Foundation, and Woodman Family Foundation (Betty, Francesca, George Woodman).

Who Should Consider Applying

Those who currently are, or will be, responsible for managing, governing, and supporting creation of an Artist-Endowed Foundation, including:

  • Individuals who within the past three years have assumed leadership responsibilities for an artist-endowed foundation, such as directors, officers, trustees, board members, and senior staff
  • Individuals designated to assume foundation leadership roles in the future, for example upon the artist’s death, including artists’ family members and professional associates
  • Individuals supporting an artist’s art stewardship planning effort with respect to a potential foundation

What Participants Will Take Away

Upon course completion, participants will understand the strategic considerations inherent in effective foundation leadership, including:

  • Comprehensive understanding of the AEF form in its many iterations
  • Firm grasp of the fiduciary duties, effective governance practices, and regulatory context informing a foundation leader’s role
  • Knowledge and tools necessary to shape and advance a foundation’s art stewardship and cultural philanthropy mission
  • Insight into factors influencing a foundation’s organizational viability and economic sustainability
  • Supportive cadre of colleagues who share their concerns and interests
  • National network of established AEF leaders, scholars, and experts with whom to confer and exchange

Curriculum Topics*

The iterative, research-based curriculum encompasses all dimensions of effective foundation operation, including:

Legacy Stewardship and Artist-Endowed Foundations

  • Foundation Basics
  • Public Benefit
  • Fiduciary Duties
  • Self-Dealing & Private Benefit Risks

Organizational Viability

  • Governance
  • Starting Up/Reorganizing
  • Art Market Strategy
  • Business Model

Cultural Asset Stewardship

  • Art Collections
  • Archives
  • Oeuvre Scholarship: Catalogues Raisonné, Oral History, Conservation Research
  • Intellectual Property

Philanthropic Impact

  • Grantmaking
  • Support to Individuals
  • Museum Gifts/Sales
  • Educational Programs

Foundation Operations

  • Professional Advisors
  • Risk Management
  • Digital Engagement
  • Foundation Planning

Focused Conversations

  • Family & Foundation
  • Long-term Art Stewardship Planning
  • Oeuvre Management
  • Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion
  • Foundation Termination

*Subject to change

Application Process

Application is by online submission, with a deadline of January 19, 2026. Participant selection is determined by the Seminar Admissions Committee. Notification of acceptance will be made on February 2, 2026.

Application Contents

A complete application includes three components:

  1. Seminar online application form
    • Includes affirmation of agreement to comply with Seminar Eligibility and Application Guidelines and Seminar Participant Guidelines.
  2. Applicant materials
    • Cover letter outlining motivation to apply
    • CV
    • Two letters of recommendation
  3. Foundation documentation
    • For US foundations: one of the following
      • Form 990PF
      • Form 990
      • Form 1023 Application for Exemption for those pending exempt ruling
    • For non US foundations: comparable documentation of nonprofit tax exempt status

Application Timeline

Key dates in the 2026 Seminar application process are as follows:

  • Monday, January 19 – Application Deadline
  • Monday, February 2 – Acceptance Notification
  • Monday, February 9 – Tuition Payment Deadline
  • Monday, February 23 – Opening Reception
  • Tuesday, February 24 – Opening Class

Tuition

The 2026 Seminar tuition fee is $5,750 USD, payable upon notification of acceptance and no later than February 9, 2026.

Completion Certificate

A completion certificate is conferred by the Aspen Institute Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative | AEFI.

Seminar Refund Policy

No tuition refunds will be made. In the case of an inability to participate, with prior AEFI approval tuition may be applied to participation in the subsequent Seminar if the individual remains in a foundation leadership position at that time.

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