Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative | AEFI

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.

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Image displays logos of AEFI's lead underwriters: Risk Strategies and Uovo.

About the AEF Consortium Advancing Next-Gen Leaders in the Visual Arts

Building the AEF community’s capacity to host interns and fellows from backgrounds under-recognized in the visual arts.

AEFI’s Project Consultant

Meet Nikki Kirk AEFI Project Consultant for the AEF Consortium Advancing Next-Gen Leaders in the Visual Arts.

AEFI’s Project Advisors

Meet visual arts and allied fields leaders serving as advisors to the AEF Consortium Advancing Next-Gen Leaders in the Visual Arts.

Project Resource Library

Explore the project resource library for the AEF Consortium Advancing Next-Gen Leaders in the Visual Arts.


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