Linda Pace Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 04-3757853
• Founded: 2003
• Geographic Focus: Primarily San Antonio, Texas
• Grant Range: $250,000 - $1,196,000 (documented grants)
• Application Process: No public application process (invitation only/trustee discretion)
• Primary Grant Recipients: Artpace Inc., CHRISpark LLC

Contact Details

Ruby City (Foundation Operations)

• Address: 150 Camp Street, San Antonio, TX 78204
• Mailing Address: PO Box 830607, San Antonio, TX 78283
• Phone: 210-227-8400
• Email: info@rubycity.org
• Website: www.rubycity.org
• Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 10 AM - 6 PM (Free admission)

Overview

The Linda Pace Foundation was established in 2003 by artist, collector, and philanthropist Linda Pace (1945-2007) as the owner and steward of her contemporary art collection. Founded on the belief that contemporary art is essential to a dynamic society, the foundation fosters the creation, presentation, and understanding of innovative expression through contemporary art. Operating as a private foundation, it provides grants to support specific organizations and projects aligned with Linda Pace's vision, including the operation of Artpace Inc., CHRISpark (a free public park honoring Pace's son, Christopher Goldsbury), and the public exhibition of the Linda Pace Foundation Collection of more than 1,400 paintings, sculptures, installations, and video works. In 2019, the foundation opened Ruby City, a contemporary art center designed by Sir David Adjaye in San Antonio's Southtown Arts District. The foundation continues to acquire works that reflect a feminist perspective, engage social issues, and consider aspects of spirituality and beauty.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Linda Pace Foundation operates as a private foundation making grants by trustee discretion rather than through open application. Documented grants include:

• Artpace Artist Residency Endowment Fund (2022): $250,000 to support the International Artist-in-Residence program in perpetuity
• Artpace Operating Support (2022): $1,196,000 (advancement of annuity established by Linda Pace in 2005) for operations of the International Artist-in-Residence program

Priority Areas

The foundation's grants support:

• Contemporary art residency programs: Supporting the creation of new work by regional, national, and international artists
• Public art and public spaces: Operating CHRISpark, a free public park featuring artwork by Teresita Fernández
• Exhibition and stewardship of contemporary art: Public presentation of the Linda Pace Foundation Collection through Ruby City and loans to museums worldwide
• Contemporary artists' work: Fostering innovative expression with emphasis on feminist perspectives, social issues, spirituality, and beauty

Collection Focus

The foundation continues to acquire works that reflect:

• Feminist perspectives
• Engagement with social issues
• Aspects of spirituality and beauty
• Innovative contemporary expression

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Grants are limited to specific organizations and projects selected by the board of trustees that align with Linda Pace's founding vision and the foundation's mission to support contemporary art in San Antonio and beyond.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Kathryn Kanjo, President of the Board of Trustees (also Deputy Director, Arts & Programs at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; former Artpace director for seven years)
• Rick Moore, Trustee (former President of the foundation)
• Anne Morgan, Trustee
• Jan Jarboe Russell, Trustee

Key Quote from Leadership

Kathryn Kanjo, regarding the 2022 contribution to Artpace: "We hope that our contribution will encourage others in the community to support Artpace's Endowment Campaign and recognize that their gifts at any level are important and will be matched to ensure the longevity of this internationally-significant residency program."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Linda Pace Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private foundation, grants are made by trustee discretion to specific organizations and projects that align with the foundation's mission and Linda Pace's founding vision. The foundation primarily supports Artpace Inc. (the international artist residency program Linda Pace founded in 1993) and CHRISpark, along with the stewardship and exhibition of the Linda Pace Foundation Collection.

Organizations seeking support should note that the foundation operates through direct relationships with select institutions rather than competitive grant processes.

Understanding the Foundation's Approach

Primary Grant Recipients

Artpace San Antonio: Founded by Linda Pace in 1993 and opened to the public in 1995, Artpace is a nonprofit residency program supporting Texas, national, and international artists. The foundation maintains ongoing financial support for Artpace's International Artist-in-Residence program through both direct grants and an endowment established in Linda Pace's lifetime.

CHRISpark: Opened in 2005 as a memorial to Linda Pace's son, Christopher Goldsbury (1972-1997), this free public park features artwork by Teresita Fernández and serves as the only privately-owned public park in San Antonio.

Ruby City: Opened October 13, 2019, this David Adjaye-designed contemporary art center houses and exhibits the Linda Pace Foundation Collection. The building was funded through the sale of a Gerhard Richter painting from the collection for $15 million, with the total building cost reaching $16 million.

The Foundation's Mission in Practice

The foundation operates primarily as a steward of Linda Pace's legacy, supporting specific institutions and initiatives she founded or envisioned during her lifetime. The grants represent ongoing support for organizations integral to Linda Pace's vision of making San Antonio a vital center for contemporary art.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a traditional grantmaking foundation: The Linda Pace Foundation operates as a private foundation supporting specific organizations through trustee discretion, not competitive grant applications
• Focus on Linda Pace's legacy institutions: Primary beneficiaries are Artpace (which she founded in 1993) and CHRISpark (created in memory of her son)
• Alignment with founding vision essential: Any potential support would need to align closely with Linda Pace's belief that contemporary art is a vital social force and her specific interests in feminist perspectives, social issues, spirituality, and beauty
• No evidence of support beyond core recipients: Research indicates grants are limited to specific organizations directly connected to Linda Pace's vision and legacy
• Foundation operates Ruby City: The primary public-facing operation is Ruby City, which provides free public access to the Linda Pace Foundation Collection
• Long-term commitment to supported organizations: The 2022 grants to Artpace demonstrate sustained, substantial support including both major gifts ($250,000) and completion of long-term commitments (the $1,196,000 annuity established in 2005)
• Contact for information: While no public application process exists, organizations with work closely aligned to the foundation's mission may contact them through Ruby City (info@rubycity.org)

References

• Linda Pace Foundation Profile, Candid Foundation Directory. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=PACE412
• "Artpace Receives Major Financial Contribution from the Linda Pace Foundation," Artpace San Antonio, July 2022. https://artpace.org/artpace-receives-major-financial-contribution-from-the-linda-pace-foundation/
• "Linda Pace: Artist, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist," Texas State Historical Association. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/pace-linda-marie
• About Ruby City, Ruby City website. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://rubycity.org/about/
• Linda Pace biography, Ruby City website. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://rubycity.org/linda/
• Chris Park, Ruby City website. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://rubycity.org/chris-park/
• About Artpace San Antonio, Artpace website. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://artpace.org/about/
• Linda Pace Foundation, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, EIN 04-3757853. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43757853
• "Ruby City: collector Linda Pace's dream museum becomes reality in Texas," The Art Newspaper, October 13, 2019
• Contact information, Ruby City website. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://rubycity.org/contact/