Artists around the world are beginning to enter the field of philanthropy. They are moving in a direction that both advances their own art but also provides additional support to up and coming visionaries, their own families, and social organizations and causes they hold dear to their hearts. 

Although the movement is small at the moment, artists as philanthropists is gaining steam and its the newest force in the concept of cultural philanthropy. Individual artists (many in their elder years) are looking for a way to protect their art yet both memorialize it after their deaths. They are also concerned about supporting their families after their lives and see their art work as a means to finance this. Additionally, artists are also putting their artwork where their mouth is. By setting up foundations that support aspiring artists in fresh from MFA programs or supporting causes like AIDs prevention and awareness. 

How does an artist turn philanthropist?

By setting up foundations that use their works, or preserve other collections, artists are able to utilize their funds and support causes that are affecting their community.

For instance, a year after the death of Joan Mitchell in 1992, the foundation that carries her namesake was created in order to support and aid painters and sculptors. Since then, the foundation has offered free art-education classes in New York City, as a way to combat the budget cuts in schools which often target public school art classes. Also, the Joan Mitchell Foundation awards grants to artists graduating from M.F.A programs in order to help them get on their feat. Additionally, the foundation also donated 3 million dollars to individual artists and arts organization in New Orleans who were devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 

Artists are no longer wanting to simply leave their own legacy. By setting up foundations that help aid up and coming artists, support social causes, and help support arts in education, these artists are ensuring that the legacy of their work and artists after them will live on in a positive and productive spirit.