Investing in the Arts: Preserving Stories, Inspiring Futures
In his latest blog post, Hansjörg Wyss discusses the Wyss Foundation’s efforts to expand access to the arts, support creativity and discovery, and spotlight underrepresented artists.
Art has always been central to how we tell our stories and pass on our values to future generations. Supporting creative institutions has been one of the most meaningful parts of my philanthropy, because the arts shape not only how we see the world, but also how we imagine what it could become.
Museum galleries allow us to look back across centuries and cultures while also challenging us to see the present with fresh eyes. I have chosen to invest in these institutions because they are where inspiration is sparked and futures are shaped.
That is why I am proud to support institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (MFA), which recently received a $25 million gift from the Wyss Foundation to strengthen its endowment and expand its modern art collection. It’s a particularly meaningful project for me and honors my late wife Rosamond, an artist and frequent MFA visitor. The support will allow the MFA to reimagine its modern art collection for the first time in a generation, with a particular focus on highlighting underrepresented artists. Investments like this help ensure that world-class art is made accessible to new generations of visitors.
Through the Foundation, I have also given more than $72 million to the Fondation Beyeler to build a second museum within the Foundation park and expand its modern and contemporary art collections. Reaching more than 8 million art enthusiasts, the Beyeler is now the most popular art museum in Switzerland and unites nature, architecture, and art.
I have also been proud to support smaller, community-based institutions like the Featherstone Center for the Arts in Massachusetts, which offers classes, exhibitions, and programs that nurture local artists and create space for neighbors to connect through shared expression. Supporting centers like Featherstone ensures that art thrives in all communities where people live and create.
Equally important to me is investing in the people who will carry the arts forward. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an institution that has fostered scholarship, creativity, and civic leadership for decades, brings together leaders from the arts, sciences, and public life to address some of society’s most pressing challenges.
My commitment to the arts is about preservation, creating possibilities, and ensuring art is accessible to all. By supporting museums and cultural programs, I hope to give future generations the chance to learn, reflect, and dream. In a world that can often feel divided, the arts remind us of what connects us. That is why I will continue to invest in the creative institutions that challenge and inspire all of us.
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About Hansjörg Wyss
Hansjörg Wyss is a philanthropist and conservationist who fell in love with the American landscape and spirit upon moving to the United States nearly half a century ago. Wyss dedicates his philanthropy to advancing research and innovation, conservation, economic opportunity, education, and the arts, driven by a deep commitment to giving back and preserving the best of America for future generations. Learn more about Mr. Wyss’ philanthropic efforts by visiting https://www.wyssfoundation.org/about-hansjorg-wyss.