REMEMBERING OUR FOUNDER: Agnes GUND
Agnes “Aggie” Gund was a distinguished philanthropist, arts patron, and lifelong advocate for arts education. In 1977, she founded Studio in a School in response to the widespread elimination of arts programming in New York City public schools. Guided by the belief that all children deserve access to high-quality visual arts education, she envisioned a model that places professional, working artists directly in classrooms.
Through Studio in a School, Aggie helped transform arts education by ensuring students—regardless of socioeconomic background—could learn, create, and express themselves through the visual arts. Her visionary leadership established a lasting framework that continues to expand access to arts education and create pathways from classrooms to careers in the arts.
Aggie’s impact extended far beyond Studio. Through her leadership at the Museum of Modern Art, her philanthropy in support of education, social justice, and the arts, and her personal generosity, she changed the cultural and civic life of our city and nation.
Studio in a School continues her legacy by expanding access to arts learning and pathways to careers in the arts.
