Visual AIDS was established in 1988 to preserve the legacies of artists lost to AIDS, to center the voices of those living with HIV, and to create dialogue and scholarship around HIV/AIDS both historically and today. Through exhibitions, public events and especially publications, Visual AIDS champions the work of underrecognized artists affected by the disease, insuring that their contributions to contemporary art discourse are not only preserved but are actively engaged by new generations of scholars and artists. As long-term HIV survivors, friends, allies, activists and families continue to age, there is an increased urgency to document stories and histories now. Beginning in 2018 Visual AIDS published an important series of books that approach this task from complementary angles.