American Philanthropist Urges Collectors To Sell Art For Justice

Following the $165 million sale of Masterpiece (1962) by Roy Lichtenstein, American philanthropist and art patron Agnes Gund directed the proceeds towards a new initiative called Art for Justice. Now, she’s urging fellow collectors to do the same.

Earlier this year, Agnes Gund sold Roy Lichtenstein’s Masterpiece for what the New York Times reports is “among the 15 highest known prices ever paid for an artwork.” The sale was hearsay until June, when Gund confirmed the transaction. On Monday, June 12, Gund revealed that $100 million of the proceeds have been earmarked for a new criminal justice fund that will work to end mass-incarceration in the United States.

It was at the Museum of Modern Art, where Gund serves as president emerita, that she announced the creation of the Art for Justice Fund in partnership with the Ford Foundation. With the help of fellow collectors, Gund hopes to match her first investment of $100 million, dollar for dollar, over the next five years.

While the project is financially ambitious, Art for Justice is significant for the recognition that art’s value can be used for the greater good. “The larger idea is to raise awareness among a community of art collectors that they can use their influence and their collections to advance social justice,” Ford Foundation president Darren Walker told the New York Times. “Art has meaning on a wall, but it also has meaning when it is monetized.”

Art for Justice will produce grants for organizations dedicated to criminal justice reform, as well as those reducing imprisonment across the country and creating both educational and professional opportunities for the previously incarcerated.

At a time when the value of art is skyrocketing, Gund recognizes great potential in a market notorious for unchecked and largely unshared wealth. “This is one thing I can do before I die,” the 78-year-old philanthropist told the New York Times. “This is what I need to do.”

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.