AGNES GUND (1938 -2025)

Agnes Gund’s passing has left the non-profit world of art bereft. She personified enlightened philanthropy. We have lost our North Star. 

The depth and breadth of Aggie’s passion for contemporary art was extraordinary. It began with artists. She was always comfortable with them and, shy herself, excelled in setting them at their ease.  Her keen understanding of creativity brought them funding, as well as deep, humane support.

Aggie had a longstanding interest in El Museo del Barrio, triggered by her profound friendship and admiration for Tony Bechara, its longtime Chair. Tony was an early collaborator in Studio in a School, Aggie’s legendary, pioneering program, which sent working artists into public school classrooms and sparked a creative revolution.

When I became Director of El Museo del Barrio in 1993, Aggie’s was the first congratulatory note I received. I was stunned as I barely knew her. We became friends.  Her beloved Puerto Rican assistant Sonia López and I familiarized Aggie with El Museo’s origins and its mission to bring to light the work of Latino and Latina artists, long ignored and marginalized. She became an enthusiastic supporter and funder. Most importantly, Aggie deeply understood El Museo’s values and its critical place in the art world.

Recently in the U.S., political power has become intensely intertwined with art funding, endangering core democratic values. Always sensitive to the needs of the world around her, Aggie created the Fund for Justice at the Ford Foundation to battle mass incarceration and protect basic human rights and free expression. Typical of her self-effacing philanthropy, she funded the gift by selling her favorite painting. 

Agnes Gund’s quiet grace, intuitive intelligence, and ethical stance made her unique among art philanthropists. We will not see her like again. Gracias, Aggie!

Susana Torruella Leval
Director Emerita, El Museo del Barrio