Foundation for Arts Initiatives

The Foundation for Arts Initiatives (FfAI) was founded in 1931 as the American Center for Students and Artists. Originally intended as a community center in Paris for American expatriates, the center later became an influential cultural space and eventually transitioned from a public nonprofit organization to a private foundation. The American Center became the American Center Foundation in 1996, which then became the Foundation for Arts Initiatives in 2008.

Today, FfAI is a grantmaking institution that supports individuals, collectives, and institutions in contemporary art and culture. In particular, the foundation focuses on grantees that address broader social issues such as the impacts of widespread culture wars, national populism, and the erosion of civil and human rights. While the organization continues to evolve in response to societal demands, it remains a steadfast advocate for, and a supporter of, contemporary art in its many forms.