Sat Sep 20 13:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Agnes Gund, a prominent art collector, philanthropist, and former president of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), passed away at 87. Gund significantly impacted the art world through her leadership at MoMA, where she championed contemporary art and oversaw a major expansion. She was also a generous philanthropist, notably founding the Art for Justice Fund with $100 million from the sale of a Roy Lichtenstein painting, aimed at criminal justice reform. Her commitment to art extended to supporting living artists, female artists, and artists of color. Beyond MoMA, she founded Studio in a School, bringing art education to underserved students. Gund’s legacy is defined by her deep commitment to art, social justice, and her impactful philanthropy.
**News Article:**
**Agnes Gund, Art World Luminary and Philanthropist, Dies at 87**
New York, NY – Agnes Gund, a towering figure in the art world known for her visionary leadership at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and her groundbreaking philanthropy, died Thursday night at her home in Manhattan. She was 87.
Gund served as MoMA’s president for 11 years, beginning in 1991, during which she spearheaded a transformative $858 million expansion, doubling the museum’s exhibition space and solidifying its position as a global center for contemporary art. She was a vocal advocate for living artists and championed the inclusion of contemporary works within the museum’s collection.
Beyond her work at MoMA, Gund was a passionate philanthropist. In 2017, she sold Roy Lichtenstein’s “Masterpiece” for $165 million and used $100 million of those proceeds to establish the Art for Justice Fund, a time-limited initiative focused on criminal justice reform. The fund provided grants to promote systemic change and address racial inequalities within the justice system.
Gund’s commitment to art education was also evident in her founding of Studio in a School, a nonprofit organization that brings artists into schools to work with students and teachers. Founded in 1977, the program has enriched the lives of countless students across New York City.
“She believes in artists; she’s willing to take risks,” said Glenn D. Lowry, the director of the museum, in 2009, highlighting Gund’s deep and passionate commitment to living artists.
Agnes Gund leaves behind a legacy as a champion of art, a tireless advocate for social justice, and a visionary philanthropist who used her resources to make a lasting impact on the world. She is survived by four children, two brothers, a sister, and 12 grandchildren.
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