Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
The Artist as Philanthropist: The Rise of Private Foundations Created by Visual Artists
Private foundations created by artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Joan Mitchell, Andy Warhol, and Helen Frankenthaler are emerging as a new force in cultural philanthropy and artistic heritage stewardship. On July 25, 2015, AEFI and the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA, presented a public panel discussion examining the factors that are shaping this important phenomenon.
The presentation drew on research findings of AEFI’s National Study of Artist-Endowed Foundations, the first research effort to examine this small but fast-growing field, which as of 2013 had documented more than 380 foundations, many created in the past two decades, holding $3.5 billion in assets, including $2 billion in artworks and intellectual property. The Study found that these organizations make grants to nonprofits, artists and scholars. They steward art collections, operate study centers, conduct scholarship, contribute artwork to museums, manage artist residency facilities and administer art education programs. Some focus solely in the arts while others also address social issues, such as HIV/AIDS and the environment. In 2010, artist-endowed foundations expended $132 million for charitable purposes.
Panelists for the discussion included:
The presentation drew on research findings of AEFI’s National Study of Artist-Endowed Foundations, the first research effort to examine this small but fast-growing field, which as of 2013 had documented more than 380 foundations, many created in the past two decades, holding $3.5 billion in assets, including $2 billion in artworks and intellectual property. The Study found that these organizations make grants to nonprofits, artists and scholars. They steward art collections, operate study centers, conduct scholarship, contribute artwork to museums, manage artist residency facilities and administer art education programs. Some focus solely in the arts while others also address social issues, such as HIV/AIDS and the environment. In 2010, artist-endowed foundations expended $132 million for charitable purposes.
Panelists for the discussion included: