American Friends of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba works together with the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba to facilitate cultural exchanges in the arts. We work with individuals and institutions of the highest level offering residency programs, cultural festivals and educational exchanges that enrich and expand creative expression.

History

It has been 15 years since I first visited Cuba. An invitation to attend the Havana Biennial came shortly after our government granted a consent decree making it legal for art dealers to go to Cuba to purchase art. During this period, I had the opportunity to become familiar with Cuban culture and meet artists and art professionals. Inspired by our experience, my husband and I felt a need to do what we could to bring American art to Cuba and Cuban art to the U.S. We began to participate in conferences, arrange seminars, organize exhibitions and share our expertise. We opened our home to Cuban artists who visited the U.S. and shared our contacts.

About the same time, Peter and Irene Ludwig became interested in Cuban contemporary art and in 1995, the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba (LFC) was founded as an autonomous, non-governmental, not-for-profit, public entity for the protection, preservation and promotion of the work of Cuban contemporary artists within Cuba and abroad. Helmo Hernandez was appointed as LFC’s President, and it was a greatprivilege for us to be asked to serve on their Honorary Committee. The Ludwig’s commitment and cooperation enabled the new foundation to respond to the huge economic difficulties on the island, which had previously resulted in the emigration of artists and a weakening of cultural institutions. The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba addressed this situation and continues to maintain an important dialogue between artistic expression and society. Its exhibitions and cultural exchanges have enabled Cuban artists to engage in important dialogues with their international colleagues.

When the interest Americans had in Cuban art and culture was realized through the programs taking place at the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, we were encouraged to formalize and expand our efforts. In May 2000, the American Friends of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba (AFLFC) was established as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization chartered in the State of New York.

It did not take long before Cuban artists, curators, theater directors, dancers, musicians, filmmakers and other professionals working in art related fields began traveling to the U.S. to participate in our programs, courses, conferences, lecture series, performances and festivals. These experiences have proved to be rewarding for the Cubans as well as their American counterparts. Although recent travel restrictions have curtailed some of our programs, we have made adjustments to meet these requirements and continue to serve the art community in both countries. Several universities, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, American University and Tisch School of the Arts at New York University participate in study abroad programs with courses at LFC. Though requirements to establish programs of this nature are constantly under revision, these schools adjust accordingly to continue to offer this enriching experience to their students.

 Carole Rosenberg
President