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The Josef And Anni Albers Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$9.2M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8-18 million (varies significantly year to year)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: International (U.S., Europe, Africa)
  • Application Type: No public application process

Contact Details

Website: https://www.albersfoundation.org/ Location: Bethany, Connecticut Note: The Foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding.

Overview

Established in 1971 by Josef Albers to further "the revelation and evocation of vision through art," The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the enduring achievements of both artists and the aesthetic and philosophical principles by which they lived. Granted charitable status in 1972, the Foundation holds assets of approximately $27 million (2024) and distributed between $8-18 million annually in grants between 2020-2024. Since 2020, the Foundation has awarded 68 individual grants totaling $19.9 million, primarily supporting exhibitions, publications, research, and educational initiatives related to the Alberses' work. The Foundation has received recognition for major donations, including gifting 57 works to the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris in 2022—the largest donation made by the Foundation in 25 years. Beyond grant-making, the Foundation operates artist residency programs in Bethany (Connecticut), Carraig-na-gCat (Ireland), and Thread in Sinthian (Senegal).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with open applications. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees and executive leadership to support specific projects aligned with the Foundation's mission.

Primary Funding Activities:

  • Exhibition support for museums and galleries presenting Josef and Anni Albers' work
  • Publication and catalog funding for Albers-related scholarship
  • Research support for scholars studying the Alberses' artistic legacy
  • Educational initiatives connected to the Alberses' teaching philosophies
  • Support for Le Korsa, a nonprofit focused on medical care, education, and arts in rural Senegal

Priority Areas

  • Exhibitions of Josef and Anni Albers' artwork at major museums and cultural institutions
  • Scholarly publications and exhibition catalogs
  • Research projects related to the Alberses' artistic practices and philosophies
  • Educational programs inspired by the Alberses' pedagogical approaches
  • Artist residencies that reflect the seriousness of purpose characteristic of both artists
  • Community development projects integrating art, culture, education, and health (particularly in Senegal through Thread and Le Korsa)

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and does not fund projects unrelated to Josef and Anni Albers' artistic legacy and philosophical principles.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Nicholas Fox Weber has led the Foundation since 1976, initially working closely with Anni Albers until her death in 1994. Fox Weber met the Alberses in 1970 and was given the title of Executive Director in 1979.

Education Director: Fritz Horstman

Governance: The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees who support major initiatives, including the construction of headquarters in Bethany, Connecticut in 1999.

Leadership Philosophy: Nicholas Fox Weber has emphasized that gallery sales and partnerships (notably with David Zwirner) have strengthened the Foundation's position to undertake ambitious projects. Fox Weber is also founder and president of Le Korsa, the Foundation's affiliated nonprofit focused on community development in Senegal.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This Foundation does not have a public application process. The Foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion and existing relationships with museums, galleries, scholars, and cultural institutions working on projects related to Josef and Anni Albers.

The Foundation proactively identifies and supports projects that align with its mission of preserving and promoting the Alberses' artistic legacy. Grants typically support exhibitions, publications, and research initiatives at established cultural institutions.

Getting on Their Radar

The Foundation has established relationships with major museums and cultural institutions that have exhibited the Alberses' work, including Yale University Art Gallery (where Josef Albers taught), the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, Harvard Art Museums, and the Boghossian Foundation Brussels.

The Foundation works closely with David Zwirner gallery, which represents the Albers estate. Gallery sales have provided significant funding for the Foundation's philanthropic activities.

Scholars and curators working on serious research related to Josef and Anni Albers may access the Foundation's archives and library in Bethany, Connecticut, which could provide opportunities to establish relationships with Foundation staff.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made by trustees and executive leadership on a case-by-case basis.

Success Rates

Not applicable—the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—the Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

Since the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations and individuals who have received Foundation support share these characteristics:

Strong Connection to the Alberses' Legacy: All funded projects directly relate to Josef and Anni Albers' artistic work, teaching philosophies, or life principles.

Institutional Credibility: Grant recipients are typically established museums, galleries, universities, and cultural institutions with proven track records in presenting modern and contemporary art.

Exhibition Excellence: The Foundation has supported major exhibitions at prestigious venues including the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, Yale University Art Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, and Boghossian Foundation Brussels.

Scholarly Rigor: Publications and research projects demonstrate serious scholarship and contribute meaningfully to understanding the Alberses' work.

Educational Value: Projects that reflect the Alberses' commitment to education and "the revelation and evocation of vision through art" align with the Foundation's core mission.

Recent Examples: The Foundation supported the 2021 retrospective at Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, followed by a major donation of 57 works. In 2023, the Foundation supported "Artisanal Modernism" at Harvard Art Museums and exhibitions at multiple international venues.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists—this Foundation awards grants through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Mission is highly specific—funding exclusively supports projects related to Josef and Anni Albers' artistic legacy, philosophy, and teaching principles
  • Institutional relationships matter—the Foundation works with established museums, galleries, and cultural institutions with track records in modern art
  • Focus on major exhibitions and scholarship—grants primarily support significant museum exhibitions, scholarly publications, and research initiatives
  • Gallery partnership is key—the Foundation's relationship with David Zwirner gallery provides funding for philanthropic activities
  • Alternative engagement: Scholars and curators may access the Foundation's archives in Bethany, Connecticut, potentially building relationships through research activities
  • Artist residencies available—while not traditional grants, the Foundation offers residencies in Connecticut, Ireland, and Senegal for artists exemplifying the Alberses' seriousness of purpose

References

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