The Artist as Philanthropist: Why Giving Back Matters

When Julie Mehretu donated $2 million to the Whitney Museum of American Art, she did more than support an institution that helped shape her career—she reignited a conversation about the evolving role of artists as philanthropists. Her gift, which funds free admission for visitors 25 and under, highlights a growing trend of artists leveraging their own monetary success to drive cultural change.

Artists giving back to their communities beyond their lifetime practice is not new. Picasso’s extensive donations to Spain and France...