At the peak of the pandemic in June 2020, nearly every artist was facing devastating cancelations and many became fully unemployed. In response to that, Mikkel Svane, the Bay Area-based CEO of Zendesk and a prolific collector of local artists, directed his recently formed foundation to act.
Svane, working with gallerists, curators, and artists, conceived of Ark, a nontraditional commission of $10,000 in unrestricted funds awarded to 100 Bay Area artists. This September, all of the artworks will be exhibited at San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) and auctioned on Artsy. One hundred percent of bids will benefit ArtSpan, a beloved local nonprofit currently fundraising for a permanent home.
“I think of art as a great equalizer. More than your network, influence, schooling, or connections, art is about aptitude and attitude,” said Svane, “The economic fallout from the pandemic threatened the entire art scene of the Bay Area. We need the vibrant joy and raw expression artists bring to our lives.”
Ark’s roster represents the diversity and range of the Bay Area art scene, spanning the region’s emerging artists to its most high-profile. All were asked to reflect on the question: what do you want to carry into the future?
The Svane Family Foundation’s unique “giving loop” is a new, ecosystem-wide approach to arts philanthropy, providing resources to artists upfront and giving the public the opportunity to pay the investment forward while acquiring work from this historic moment in time. It’s a model that could be applied, during the pandemic and beyond, to any major city where lack of direct funding and sky-high living costs severely impact local artists.
Artwork commissioned by Ark will be exhibited at SFAI from September 7–27 and auctioned on Artsy from September 16–30.
See the full list of artists and subscribe for the auction preview at svaneff.org.
The Latest
Basking in Vermeer’s Light at Rijksmuseum
In Vermeer’s paintings, the world is much larger than we imagined and yet somehow deep, meaningful, and magical.
The Art World “Darling” Who Went Rogue
Joan Brown resented the easy commodification of her work, and the incessant demand for her to create something just so others could own it.
Tulsa Artist Fellowship Calls for Artists and Arts Workers of All Disciplines
Ten awardees will receive a total of more than $1.95 million in support and resources in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
How Anthony Daley Abstracts Rubens
In the work of Rubens, painter Anthony Daley finds correspondences of color that can carry expressive meanings abstractly.
Native Filmmakers Decolonize the Screen
“Only Indigenous voices can tell their stories with dimensionality, and the tools to make that happen are incredibly accessible,” says film director Christian Rozier.
Pedro Reyes Explores Disarmament in DIRECT ACTION at SITE Santa Fe
The Mexican artist confronts gun violence and nuclear power through sculpture, print, performance, and video work.
Netflix Forgot to Include Puerto Ricans in Production of Reggaeton Show
Critics say the new comedy series Neon was written, directed, and produced by non-Puerto Ricans.
It Was No Pearl Earring, Friends
The pearl earring in Johannes Vermeer’s famous masterpiece was likely a fake, researchers say.
Call for Applications: Inspiration Lab Artists-in-Residence at University of the Arts
Ten artists will receive studio space and access to faculty, staff, students, workshops, and programming at an arts institution in the heart of Philadelphia.
Hirshhorn’s New Reality Show Looks for America’s Next Top Artist
Seven artists will compete for a cash prize and a chance to exhibit their work at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum.
Indiana School Catches Heat for Plan to Deaccession Works
Top museums organizations condemned the Brauer Museum of Art’s plan to sell major artworks to fund the construction of new dorms.
Onsite Gallery Presents more-than-human
The media artworks in this show at Toronto’s OCAD University tell a tale of symbiosis, intersections, and more-than-human relationality.
New Hampshire Bakery Sues Town to Save Pastries Mural
The fight over the mural, painted by high school students, evolved into a First Amendment case.
US Museums Reduce Emissions With Help From Frankenthaler Foundation
Art museums and schools are encouraged to apply for the grants.