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.
Private foundations created by visual artists and endowed with their creative works and rights are a rapidly emerging force in cultural philanthropy and in artistic heritage stewardship. The Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative | AEFI is a collegial learning community of AEF leaders collaborating to advance the charitable impact of Artist-Endowed Foundations’ work in art stewardship and cultural philanthropy.
Bearing names such as Frankenthaler, Haring, Lichtenstein, Mapplethorpe, Mitchell, Pollock-Krasner, Rauschenberg, and Warhol, private foundations created by visual artists are a rapidly emerging force in cultural philanthropy and art stewardship. The Aspen Institute Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative | AEFI is a collegial learning community of AEF leaders collaborating to advance the charitable impact of this emerging field by addressing the significant information gap facing those who create, lead, govern, and advise Artist-Endowed Foundations. This strategy is realized through research, publication, leadership convening, professional education, and informational events to share knowledge with these key audiences.
A Selection of Artist-Endowed Foundations in the U.S.
Click a photo to explore the associated foundation.