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.
Visual AIDS
- Location
- New York, NY
- Grant Cycle
- Fall 2018
- Amount
- $80,000
- Type of Grant
- Multi-year Program Support

Darrel Ellis, Self-portrait after photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe, c. 1989
Painting on canvas, 60 x 42 in. Courtesy of the estate of Darrel Ellis. Photo: Christopher Burke Studios

Darrel Ellis, Untitled (from Thomas Ellis photograph of child’s birthday party), c. 1990
Gelatin silver print, 25 x 29 in. Courtesy of the estate of Darrel Ellis. Photo: Christopher Burke Studios

Kay Rosen, AIDS ON GOING GOING ON, 2013, projected on the facade of the Guggenheim Museum for Visual AIDS’ Day With(out) Art 2015. Photo: Elliot Luscombe

ACT UP, Installation view of Let the Record Show…, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, 1987. Courtesy of Gran Fury

ACT UP, Installation view of Let the Record Show…, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, 1987. Courtesy of Gran Fury

Frederick Weston, Self Portrait, 1979, Dot matrix print, tape, 14 1/8 x 10 3/4 in; courtesy Gordon Robichaux, NY, photo: Gregory Carideo
1969
Andy Warhol launches Interview magazine.