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Philanthropic Artist Support

Remarkable artists.
Developed with
intention. Sustained
by community.

Desire Art Foundation identifies and supports a small cohort of exceptional artists — developing their cultural and market presence through exhibitions, publications, programming, and patron support. The best of them enter Desire Art Capital.

5–10 Artists per cohort
$10K Patron minimum / year

Identify. Support. Cultivate.

Desire Art Foundation exists to identify a small cohort of remarkable artists and help cultivate their cultural and market presence through exhibitions, publications, programming, and patron support.

By providing artists with visibility, resources, and genuine community engagement, the Foundation develops both the recognition and the broader market for their work — creating the conditions for long-term artistic and commercial growth.

The Foundation and Capital are deeply connected: artists who demonstrate exceptional development through the Foundation may be selected to enter Desire Art Capital, where investors can participate in their curated collections.

01

Artist Selection

A small cohort of remarkable artists selected each year through portfolio, statement, and exhibition history.

02

Cultivation & Visibility

Exhibitions, publications, programming, and patron community — building cultural presence and market recognition.

03

Market Development

Collector introductions, press, strategic placements — developing the broader market for each artist's work.

04

Capital Pathway

Selected Foundation artists enter Desire Art Capital, where investors acquire a share of their curated collections.

Desire Art FOUNDATION Desire Art CAPITAL EXHIBITIONS & PRESS MARKET GROWTH INVESTOR RETURNS PATRON CIRCLE ARTIST COHORT One Ecosystem
Foundation feeds Capital feeds Artists

Desire Art Foundation

Identifies and supports a small cohort of remarkable artists — cultivating their cultural and market presence through exhibitions, publications, programming, and patron support.

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Desire Art Capital

Selected Foundation artists enter Desire Art Capital, where investors acquire a percentage share of curated collections. Proceeds distributed as works sell — artist, investor, and platform aligned.

Visit Desire Art Capital ↗

Support artists.
Shape culture.

Patron Circle members provide the direct funding that makes the Foundation's work possible. In return, they receive privileged access to artists, works, and programming that cannot be purchased anywhere else.

Patron Circle Membership

$10,000 Annual contribution · tax-deductible
  • Private studio visits with cohort artists
  • Exhibition previews and opening night access
  • Intimate artist dinners and conversations
  • Invitations to all Foundation programming
  • Recognition in publications and catalogs
  • Priority access to Desire Art Capital opportunities
  • Annual impact report on artist outcomes

How Patron Funds Are Used

Example budget with 10 patrons × $10,000 = $100,000

Artist Stipends $60,000
Exhibition Production $20,000
Catalog & Documentation $10,000
Programming & Events $10,000

Contributions may be made directly or through a donor-advised fund. Desire Art Foundation is structured to accept charitable contributions. Please consult your financial advisor regarding tax treatment.

Meet the Artists

Five artists selected for the inaugural Desire Art Foundation cohort. Each receives a direct stipend, exhibition support, and access to the full Desire ecosystem.

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2025 Cohort · Painting
Amara Nwosu

Large-scale oil paintings exploring memory and ancestral landscape through abstracted figuration. Based in Brooklyn, NY.

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2025 Cohort · Ceramics
Jin Park

Functional and sculptural ceramic works blending Korean folk tradition with minimalist contemporary form. Based in Los Angeles.

2025 Cohort · Printmaking
Valentina Cruz

Hand-pulled lithographs and relief prints examining the politics of borders, bodies, and belonging. Based in Chicago.

2025 Cohort · Video
Omar Khalil

Single-channel video works documenting ritual, labor, and informal economies across the MENA region. Based in New York.

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2025 Cohort · Sculpture
Priya Menon

Cast bronze and found material sculptures exploring femininity, myth, and material transformation. Based in Atlanta.

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Applications open
for next cohort

Events & Gatherings

Patron Circle members receive invitations to all Foundation programming. Events are intimate, curated, and designed to build genuine connections between patrons, artists, and collectors.

Apr 12

Spring Studio Visits

Private access to five artist studios across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Small group, guided by Rachel Giadolor. Patrons only.

Patron Circle Only
May 03

Opening: Cohort Exhibition

Preview evening for the 2025 cohort group exhibition. Works available for acquisition. Collector introductions facilitated.

Exhibition Opening
Jun 18

Artist Dinner: Conversation Series

Intimate dinner with two Foundation artists and a guest curator. Limited to 12 guests. Patron Circle and invited collectors.

Intimate Gathering
Sep 27

Annual Foundation Benefit

The Foundation's annual gathering celebrating artists, patrons, and the year's work. Works available. New cohort announced.

Annual Event
Oct 09

Collector Introduction Evening

Facilitated introduction between Foundation artists and a curated group of active collectors. Presentation and reception.

Collector Access
Dec 05

Year-End Studio Exhibition

Each cohort artist presents new work from the year's production. Catalog released. Patron impact report distributed.

Year-End Program

Apply to the
2026 Cohort

Applications for the 2026 Desire Art Foundation cohort are now open. We select 5–10 artists annually based on artistic merit, professional readiness, and alignment with the Foundation's mission.

Selected artists receive direct financial stipends, exhibition production support, catalog documentation, programming access, and a potential pathway to Desire Art Capital.

  • Active practice with a coherent and developed body of work.
  • Exhibition history — at least one public or institutional showing.
  • Artist statement articulating practice, intent, and development goals.
  • Portfolio submission of 10–15 recent works with documentation.
  • Two references from curators, educators, or gallerists.
  • Emerging or mid-career — not yet represented by a major commercial gallery.

Artist Application

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. All submissions receive a response within 3 weeks.

Connect with
the Foundation

We'd love to hear from you.

Whether you're interested in joining the Patron Circle, learning more about our artists, or exploring how Desire Art Foundation fits into your philanthropic giving, we're happy to talk.

General Inquiries [email protected]
Patron Circle Rachel Giadolor · [email protected]
Artist Applications Via the Apply section above
Desire Art Capital desireartcapital.com ↗

Send a Message

We respond to all inquiries within 2 business days.

Desire Art Foundation

Sign In

Access your artist or patron portal.

Forgot password?  ·  Apply as artist
Patron Portal

Welcome back, Sarah.

Patron Circle Member · 2025 Cohort

$10,000 Annual Contribution
5 Artists in 2025 Cohort
6 Events You're Invited To
2025 Artist Cohort
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Amara Nwosu
Oil on Canvas · Brooklyn

Large-scale oil paintings exploring memory and ancestral landscape through abstracted figuration.

🌾
Jin Park
Ceramics · Los Angeles

Functional and sculptural ceramic works blending Korean folk tradition with minimalist contemporary form.

Valentina Cruz
Printmaking · Chicago

Hand-pulled lithographs examining the politics of borders, bodies, and belonging.

Omar Khalil
Video Art · New York

Single-channel video works documenting ritual, labor, and informal economies across the MENA region.

🌙
Priya Menon
Sculpture · Atlanta

Cast bronze and found material sculptures exploring femininity, myth, and material transformation.

Your Upcoming Events
Spring Studio Visits
Apr 12 · Brooklyn & Manhattan
Cohort Exhibition Opening
May 3 · Preview Evening
Artist Dinner: Conversation Series
Jun 18 · Limited to 12 guests
Annual Foundation Benefit
Sep 27 · New cohort announced
From the Foundation

"Sarah — thank you for your continued support. The Spring Studio Visits are confirmed for April 12. You'll receive a full itinerary by April 5. We're so excited to share what this cohort has been building."

Rachel Giadolor · March 28, 2025
Artist Portal

Welcome back, Amara.

Desire Art Foundation · 2025 Cohort

Your Artist Profile
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Amara Nwosu
Oil on Canvas · Brooklyn, NY

Large-scale oil paintings exploring memory and ancestral landscape through abstracted figuration. Her practice draws from oral traditions, material culture, and the ongoing negotiations of diasporic identity.

Website
amaranwosu.com
Medium
Oil on Canvas

ℹ️ Your profile was auto-populated from your Foundation application. Patrons and visitors see this profile — keep it current.

Upcoming Shows & Events
Cohort Group Exhibition
May 3 · Foundation Preview Evening
Studio Visit — Patron Group
Apr 12 · Your studio · 4–6pm
Artist Dinner: Conversation Series
Jun 18 · You're a featured artist
Press Mentions
"New Painters of the Diaspora"
Hyperallergic · Feb 2025
Feature: Foundation 2025 Cohort
Art in America · March 2025
Portfolio Works
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4 works uploaded · visible to patrons and visitors

Messages from the Foundation

"Amara — the patrons are very excited for the studio visit. Please have 6–8 works accessible. We'll arrive around 4pm and stay until 6. Let us know if you need anything."

Rachel Giadolor · Apr 2, 2025

"Your Hyperallergic feature went live today — we've shared it across our collector network. Great response so far."

Desire Art Foundation · Feb 18, 2025