January 2026

Helen Frankenthaler was one of the most innovative and prolific artists of her time. Her impact and legacy reverberate in art practices today and through the Foundation’s ongoing artistic, educational, and philanthropic work.

We are entering another robust year of exhibitions and loans, research and writing projects, and public programs, in New York and internationally, centering on Frankenthaler’s work and advancing her legacy. These various projects examine diverse aspects of her practice and its context. This winter, MoMA presented Helen Frankenthaler: A Grand Sweep, a selection of paintings from the museum’s collection. In April, the Kunstmuseum Basel will present a major survey of Frankenthaler’s work with a focus on the importance of art historical precedents for the artist, and Gagosian in New York will showcase a range of her paintings through the lens of monumentality and heroic scale.

Later in the year, Phase II of the Frankenthaler Prints Initiative continues with exhibitions and programs focusing on Helen Frankenthaler’s  printmaking practice. Some forthcoming projects will be mounted at the Grey Art Museum at New York University and the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami, Florida.

The Foundation’s unwavering philanthropic efforts continue as part of a larger vision to broaden the reach of Frankenthaler’s legacy. Intertwined with our scholarly, educational, and curatorial objectives, these programs—including scholarships and professional development opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in the arts, recognition of exceptional talent through named residencies and awards, and support for artists and cultural heritage at risk—bring an invigorated sense of purpose to our work.

This year marks  the sixth cycle of the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative. This program and its focus on energy efficiency in the visual arts nationwide continues to be proactive as well as responsive to urgent needs. Throughout 2026 the Foundation also plans to build on the broad swath of cultural resilience funding it began in 2025 to help museums and arts organizations around the U.S. thrive in the face of unforeseen challenges ranging from devastating fires in Los Angeles to loss of financial support for operations and special programs. 
 

Another key activity remains broadening and updating our digital presence as we plan for future milestone projects, including Helen Frankenthaler’s centennial in 2028. In the near term, we are continuing to update the Archives section of our website to include new content to serve researchers and all those with an interest in knowing more about Helen Frankenthaler.

To keep apprised of all our programs and initiatives, we invite you to visit our website often for updates, to follow us on social media, and to subscribe to the Foundation’s newsletter if it does not already reach you.

Elizabeth Smith, Executive Director