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.
Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
Aspen Institute
Blog Posts, and Publications
Executive Summary: The Artist as Philanthropist; Strengthening the Next Generation of Artist-Endowed Foundations
A study of the emerging artist-endowed foundation field in the US
The National Study of Artist-Endowed Foundations, conducted for the Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation, is the first effort to define and describe the artist-endowed foundation field in the US. Though a small portion of all private foundations, these distinctively endowed entities are growing in number and as such, represent a potential force shaping cultural philanthropy and stewarding this country’s postwar and contemporary art patrimony. The two-volume report detailing the Study’s findings — The Artist as Philanthropist: Strengthening the Next Generation of Artist-Endowed Foundations — provides leaders in philanthropy, the arts, education, and journalism with an overview of the artist-endowed foundation field, its origins, current status, trends, and prospects. In addition, it offers artist-donors, their advisors, and foundation leaders a summary of considerations in forming, sustaining, and terminating artist-endowed foundations as well as planning and conducting foundations’ charitable programs. Briefing papers by scholars in the arts and philanthropy address key issues in foundation practice.
Private foundations created by visual artists are a rapidly emerging force in cultural philanthropy and in artistic heritage stewardship. The Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative | AEFI aims to strengthen the next generation of artist-endowed foundations.
