BofA Announces 2023 Art Conservation Project Grant Selections

Bank of America announced today that 23 cultural institutions have been named as recipients of the 2023 Bank of America Art Conservation Project. They represent a diverse range of artistic styles, media and cultural traditions across China, Colombia, France, Lebanon, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S.

Since 2010, Bank of America’s Art Conservation Project has supported the preservation of paintings, sculptures, and archeological and architectural pieces of critical importance to cultural heritage and the history of art. More than 237 projects across 40 countries managed by nonprofit cultural institutions received funding to conserve historically or culturally significant works of art that are in danger of deterioration.

This year’s grant recipients include:

• Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s conservation of Urban Light (2008), a sculpture by American artist Chris Burden that is celebrated as an unofficial symbol of the city. It features 202 historic streetlamps and is one of the museum’s most popular installations.
• Armenian Museum of America’s restoration of 21 illuminated manuscripts, dating back to the fifth century. Many of the surviving works were damaged during World War I or looted and subsequently scattered internationally.
• Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris’ restoration of Rythme (1938), an abstract painting in the Orphism style by French artist Sonia Delaunay.
• National Gallery Singapore’s conservation of Chinese artist Chen Wen Hsi's Gibbons (1977), an ink painting portraying lively primates native to Singapore.
• The Hawai’i State Archives' conservation of three royal portraits including William Cogswell’s portrait of Queen Lili‘uokalani (1892), the last sovereign monarch of Hawai’i.
• Hampton University Museum’s preservation of 29 works on paper by prolific African American artist Dr. John T. Biggers.
• The Arab Image Foundation’s preservation, digitization and documentation of 98 handmade photo albums by Lebanese photographer Agop Kouyoumjian.

“Art and objects of cultural heritage are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of time.  The conservation of these works allows society at large to continue to be inspired by the rich diversity of the human experience,” said Brian Siegel, Global Arts, Culture & Heritage Executive at Bank of America.  “We support this work as part of our efforts to promote cultural sustainability to preserve this shared history for future generations.” 

The Art Conservation Project is one demonstration of BofA’s commitment to promoting cultural sustainability and making the arts more accessible and inclusive in communities. A wide range of support for both local and global nonprofit organizations helps drive engagement and is part of how BofA drives Responsible Growth.