Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts has a mission of advancing the efforts of those who are working in the visual arts. With the specific focus of aiding those working on the development of art that is considered to be on the cutting edge and an iconic legend's inspiration as its guide, the foundation has been supporting visual arts for nearly 25 years.
Thinking to the future
Andy Warhol knew that he wanted to leave something behind to support artists who followed in his footsteps. When he passed away just short of his 60th birthday in 1987, he had already set the gears in motion to create the foundation. Using his vast collection of art, properties and other items from his estate, he was able to set the financial groundwork that would ensure years of artistic support through both grants and a variety of programs dedicated to the future of the visual arts.
Freedom to create
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts emphasizes that artists need the freedom to create exactly what they are feeling or thinking. They look for ways to encourage artists to reach their full potential of creativity - regardless of popular opinion, critics or even their own perceived limitations. Through grants to art organizations across the country, the foundation makes every effort to reach as many aspiring artists as possible in the hope that they can reach their fullest potential and examine the limits of their creativity.
Supporting ongoing research
One of the newest aspects of the foundation is its curatorial research fellowship program. The program began in 2008 as a way to help preserve the ongoing study and exhibition of progressive art from cultures around the world, with fellowships awarded to 15 deserving candidates in the year 2010 alone.
From the mind of Warhol himself, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts is an organization that takes great pride in continuing important work in the field of progressive visual arts. With solid backing and a dedication to the visual arts, the foundation is able to support, document and display important works of yesterday, today and tomorrow.