Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) joins the arts and justice community in mourning the passing of Agnes Gund (1938-2025)—visionary philanthropist, art patron, and founder of the Art for Justice Fund. Her loss is deeply felt, but her legacy continues to inspire movements that transform lives through creativity and compassion.
A Visionary Force for Change
Agnes Gund believed that art could be a catalyst for justice. In 2017, she launched the Art for Justice Fund with the bold idea that the sale of her beloved painting, Masterpiece by Roy Lichtenstein, could directly support efforts to end mass incarceration. Partnering with the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Gund mobilized over $125 million to fuel change at the intersection of art, advocacy, and criminal justice reform.
Her goal was clear: to reduce prison populations, strengthen opportunities for people returning home, and support artists and organizations committed to telling the stories of those most affected by incarceration. As she said, “We need to work together to find creative solutions to build a better, safer future for all our children.”
Partnership with RTA
RTA was honored to be an inaugural grantee of the Art for Justice Fund, receiving support for general operations in 2017 and 2018. That early investment helped amplify RTA’s reach, reinforcing the impact of our arts programs in New York State prisons, where fewer than 3% of our alumni return to incarceration, compared to the national average of nearly 60%.
Agnes Gund’s vision extended beyond sustaining existing programs—she believed in lifting up the voices of people inside. Her support enabled RTA to create groundbreaking projects that brought those voices forward during some of the most challenging moments in recent history.
2020 – Lulu, I Hear You: Messages from the Inside During COVID-19
With Art for Justice Fund support, RTA adapted writings from incarcerated participants into a filmed performance, giving audiences an intimate look at life behind the walls during the pandemic. The production was dedicated to Lulu (Darlene Benson-Seay), who was the first woman in New York State to die of COVID-19 while incarcerated. The piece offered both mourning and resilience, reminding the world of the humanity so often silenced.
2021 – Doing Time: A Women’s View of Incarceration
Art for Justice Fund’s commitment also helped bring forward women’s perspectives on incarceration through this powerful filmed production, spotlighting stories too often overlooked.
These projects were more than performances—they were lifelines of connection, solidarity, and truth-telling, made possible because Agnes Gund trusted in the power of art to heal and transform.
A Legacy That Lives On
Agnes Gund’s life was a testament to the belief that philanthropy, art, and justice are deeply interconnected. For RTA, her support was not just financial; it was a validation of our mission to transform lives and break the cycle of incarceration through the arts.
As we continue our work, we honor Agnes Gund’s legacy by carrying forward her conviction that every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and the chance to be seen fully as human. Her vision for the Art for Justice Fund has ignited a movement that will continue to ripple across generations—inside prison walls and beyond.
Rest in power, Agnes Gund. Your art, your courage, and your humanity live on in the communities you transformed.
