The non-profit Free Arts NYC's 2020 Benefit Auction is giving the public access to rare works of art from the likes of KAWS, sacai, and more to help save the arts.
Free Arts NYC provides access to art programming, mentorship, and creative opportunities for the youth in underserved communities across New York City. With 70% of the NYC arts education budget going to be cut in 2021, there's never been a more important time to defend this vital service.
Thankfully a stable of big-name contemporary artists including KAWS, Rashid Johnson and Josh Sperling are donating works to the foundation's annual fundraiser. The auction's aim is "celebrating our dedicated creative community, by bidding on works from your favorite artists to help us continue to ensure equity and access in the arts."
Notably, KAWS has donated works to the charity initiative, including his sacai x Nike LDWaffle collab, which has already reached bidding above $20,000. Free Arts NYC is also offering the opportunity to get a tour of Brooklyn Museum’s mid-career survey of KAWS: What Party, the artist's first major exhibition in his hometown, opening February 2021.
The auction also includes works by Julia Chiang, Marina Adams, and Donald Baechler. To see the full offering and start bidding yourself head over to the Artsy website.
