Agnes Gund, collector and philanthropist who helped transform MoMA, has died, aged 87

"The American arts philanthropist Agnes Gund has died, aged 87. Gund was a leading figure in the art world who was widely celebrated for her significant contributions to cultural institutions and her efforts to use art as vessel for social change, including in education and criminal justice reform. Gund's death was first reported by The New York Times, which did not state a cause of death. She is survived by four children."

"Gund was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1938. Her father, George Gund II, was a banker and philanthropist, and her mother, Jessica Roesler, instilled Gund with an appreciation for art and culture from an early age. Gund credited her exposure to art, including frequent visits to the Cleveland Museum of Art, as foundational experiences that shaped her lifelong work. Gund attended the prestigious Miss Porter's School in Connecticut,"

"Gund joined the board of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in 1976, marking the beginning of a five-decade relationship with the museum. She served as its president from 1991 to 2002 and helped expand the museum's educational programmes and increase its commitment to accessibility and diversity. During her tenure, she notably pushed for the acquisition of works by women and artists of colour, who remained underrepresented in the collection."

Agnes Gund (1938–2025) was an American arts philanthropist who used art as a force for social change, including work in education and criminal justice reform. She was born in Cleveland to George Gund II and Jessica Roesler, gained early exposure to museums, and attended Miss Porter's School, Smith College, and Harvard University for art history. Gund joined MoMA's board in 1976, served as president from 1991 to 2002, and later became president emerita. She championed acquisitions of women and artists of colour, expanded educational programmes, increased accessibility and diversity, and helped raise funds for MoMA's major expansion.

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