Agnes Gund Quotes

Powerful Agnes Gund for Daily Growth

About Agnes Gund

Agnes Gund, an influential figure in both the art world and philanthropy, was born on January 24, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio. She is best known for her extensive work with contemporary art, particularly as the former President of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. Gund studied at Radcliffe College, later earning a degree in psychology from Smith College. Her early career was spent working on Wall Street as a financial analyst, but her love for art soon took center stage. Gund's interest in art began with a gift from her grandmother: a collection of Chinese pottery and porcelain. In 1957, she married the investment banker and political strategist Richard Gund, with whom she had two children. The couple later divorced in 1982. Agnes Gund's life took a significant turn when her husband gifted her a Jackson Pollock painting, Number 1A, 1948, which ignited her passion for modern art. Gund served as the President of MoMA from 1991 to 2002, during which time she played a crucial role in expanding the museum's contemporary collection and increasing accessibility through educational programs. After leaving MoMA, she continued her philanthropic efforts by founding the Agnes Gund Art Education Program at the Pratt Institute and supporting numerous other art-related initiatives. One of her most notable contributions is the 'Art for Justice' fund, which was established in 2017 to combat mass incarceration in the United States through criminal justice reform. Gund sold a Roy Lichtenstein painting from her collection to launch this initiative. Today, Agnes Gund continues to collect and advocate for contemporary art while remaining committed to social justice causes. Her impact on the art world, philanthropy, and social activism cannot be overstated.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Art has the power to change people's lives."

This quote by Agnes Gund emphasizes that art is not just a form of aesthetic expression, but also a powerful tool for personal transformation and impact. By engaging with art, individuals can experience new ideas, emotions, perspectives, and even undergo shifts in their own worldview. Art can inspire, provoke thought, challenge assumptions, and foster empathy, thereby encouraging change at the individual level and potentially within society as a whole.


"Art is essential for making the world a better place."

Agnes Gund's quote underscores the transformative power of art in creating a positive impact on society. By suggesting that art plays a crucial role in improving the world, she emphasizes that it can serve as a catalyst for change, fostering empathy, stimulating dialogue, and promoting understanding among people. Art has the ability to evoke emotions, challenge perspectives, and inspire action, making it an essential tool for fostering a more compassionate and inclusive global community.


"Everybody should have art in their life, because it makes you feel more human."

Agnes Gund's quote emphasizes the transformative power of art on an individual's sense of humanity. In essence, she suggests that engaging with art enhances our fundamental connection to each other and fosters a greater appreciation for the shared human experience. Art has the unique ability to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire empathy - qualities that elevate us beyond our individual identities and remind us of our common humanity. By making art accessible to everyone, Gund envisions a world where people can discover their full potential as thoughtful, compassionate beings.


"The arts are not a luxury; they are a necessity of the human spirit."

This quote emphasizes that the arts, including visual arts, literature, music, and theater, are essential for nourishing the human spirit rather than being merely optional or luxurious. The arts play a crucial role in allowing individuals to express themselves, understand the world around them, and connect with their emotions. They provide insights into humanity's deepest feelings and allow us to contemplate our shared existence. In this sense, the arts are necessary for personal growth, societal development, and cultivating empathy and understanding – essential elements in building a vibrant and compassionate society.


"I think we need to make art accessible and available to people, especially young people, because they really need this experience in their lives."

Agnes Gund emphasizes the importance of making art accessible and available to all, particularly young people. She believes that artistic experiences are crucial for personal growth and development, offering unique insights and perspectives that can enrich one's life. By opening up opportunities for young people to engage with art, we empower them to explore their creativity, broaden their understanding of the world, and develop essential skills like critical thinking and empathy.


My education in the arts began at the Cleveland Museum of Art. As a Cleveland child, I visited the museum's halls and corridors, gallery spaces and shows, over and over. For me, the Cleveland Museum was a school of my very own - the place where my eyes opened, my tastes developed, my ideas about beauty and creativity grew.

- Agnes Gund

Education, Beauty, Very, Tastes

In my own life, I share my home with works by artists like Elizabeth Murray, Martin Puryear, Jackie Windsor and so many others, whose creativity is clear and fresh and compelling; the works break through the usual, and they inspire creativity; they inspire responses and understanding.

- Agnes Gund

Through, Works, Compelling, Windsor

I have the same sense of discovery and exhilaration from objects of design and everyday use - I am inspired by the buildings in my city, by park greenery and dazzling store windows, by the jaunty strollers and umbrellas and billboards I walk past. Just strolling our streets, we encounter creativity every single day.

- Agnes Gund

City, Streets, Use, Billboards

I actually believe that this Trump phenomenon, which has affected many of us, is going to accelerate the use of art for philanthropy, because people are realizing that art is a vehicle for showing opposition - just look at the signs in the women's marches.

- Agnes Gund

Believe, Trump, Use, Realizing

The need we have for information is great, and we get it from many admirable sources. The need we have for understanding and acceptance is much greater. The arts are uniquely able to help us meet the greater needs.

- Agnes Gund

Need, Needs, Sources, Admirable

Dealers claim that women artists are not as salable as men, that they are a poor investment. We know that there are few women art collectors, a fact which may have an impact on the market.

- Agnes Gund

Art, Fact, Which, Claim

Women fail, very simply, if they have no guidance and friendships in art, if they are not perceived as, or permitted to be, artists, and if they have no institutional access.

- Agnes Gund

Art, Access, Very, Permitted

Of course, museums and galleries and art spaces will continue to ground the art world. But certainly the public - as well as artists - also benefit when art is encountered in other everyday situations.

- Agnes Gund

Art, Other, Certainly, Spaces

I'm hoping someday that we'll be able to start a consortium with places like Carnegie Hall to work on early childhood education. I really feel that's the most important place to put the arts.

- Agnes Gund

Education, Early Childhood, Carnegie

I have always had an extreme sensitivity to inequality.

- Agnes Gund

Inequality, Always, Had, Sensitivity

Art shouldn't be prohibited in public schools when kids in private schools always get it.

- Agnes Gund

Art, Always, Private, Private Schools

However dark, however demanding the realities of existence are, artists provide the lift, the light, the ways to make it through. They help us find the joys and delights, the hopes we need for our days and hours. I am grateful for their gifts.

- Agnes Gund

Existence, Through, However, Lift

The arts capture our insecurities, quicken our instincts, guide us through threats. They help us know ourselves. They help us know each other. They help us know better.

- Agnes Gund

Capture, Through, Other, Instincts

I own works by women artists; it is hard for me to see, literally to see, how women and men differ in the quality of their work. Why are women artists less known and less admired?

- Agnes Gund

Admired, Works, Literally, Differ

I'm so lucky in my life, but I'm so unlucky in my abilities. I love art so much, but I'm unable to produce it. I can't even draw a dog that doesn't look like a horse.

- Agnes Gund

Love, My Life, Lucky, Unlucky

Women artists, no matter how well recognized they are, are seldom given solo exhibitions or featured in significant group shows. They are never top-ranked in auction choices.

- Agnes Gund

Recognized, Given, Featured, Solo

I've had to sell a lot of art, which I've hated to do because I really love the art I have.

- Agnes Gund

Love, Lot, Which, Hated

Recycling old buildings to show art is very important.

- Agnes Gund

Art, Important, Very, Recycling

Most of the art I have is more on the beautiful side than the violent or disturbing side.

- Agnes Gund

Beautiful, Violent, Most, Disturbing

If it's taught well, art really is important to kids early on. It helps children develop language and allows them to see themselves in a way that isn't right or wrong, because if they draw an animal with five legs instead of four, nobody's criticizing them for it.

- Agnes Gund

Children, Language, See, Criticizing

You don't have a balanced life if you don't have art.

- Agnes Gund

Life, Art, You, Balanced

I get income, but I don't have a big swath of money to invest in things.

- Agnes Gund

Money, Big, Get, Income

Six of my 12 grandchildren are black.

- Agnes Gund

Black, Six, Grandchildren

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