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Advancing Women Artists Foundation

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Advancing Women Artists Foundation, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025
Advancing Women Artists Foundation
Company typeNonprofit organization
IndustryArt restoration, art history, cultural preservation
Founded2009
FounderDr. Jane Fortune
DefunctJune 30, 2021 (2021-06-30)
Headquarters
Indianapolis, Indiana; Florence
,
United States; Italy
Area served
Florence, Italy; international
Key people
Dr. Jane Fortune (founder)
ProductsArt restoration, scholarly research, educational projects, exhibitions

Advancing Women Artists Foundation (AWA) was a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Florence, Italy, operating under 501(c)3 status. Its mission centered on uncovering and rehabilitating artworks created by female artists from Florence, found in museums, churches, and storage facilities. The foundation facilitated restoration efforts and encouraged scholarly research focused on women artists. By the year 2018, AWA had successfully restored 61 pieces, including paintings and sculptures, spanning from the 15th through the 19th centuries. Additionally, it supported educational projects such as publications, film documentaries, seminars, and academic conferences.

AWA ceased operations on June 30, 2021. Despite its closure, the foundation’s website continues to serve as a digital repository and reference source for research, conservation, and exhibition related to women’s art in Florence.

Goals

AWA’s objectives extended beyond restoration and academic study; it sought to create dedicated exhibition venues for female artists’ work in Florence, complemented by satellite galleries internationally. This strategy aimed to facilitate exhibitions abroad while ensuring the artworks would ultimately be returned permanently to Florence.

Creation and governance

The foundation traces its origins to 2003 when Dr. Jane Fortune, an author and philanthropist, founded The Florence Committee of the National Museum for Women in the Arts—an Italian nonprofit association located in Florence. This effort was inspired by the rediscovery of Suor Plautilla Nelli, a relatively obscure sixteenth-century Florentine painter, underscoring the necessity to promote women artists. In 2009, Fortune launched the Advancing Women Artists Foundation (AWA) as its American nonprofit counterpart to broaden U.S. participation.

AWA’s funding derives from private donors and institutions dedicated to conserving and promoting female-created artworks, particularly those connected to Florence. The organization’s Board of Trustees supervises administrative functions and financial oversight. Support also comes from an International Advisory Council and an honorary Florentine Council of Advisors composed of museum directors, art historians, conservators, municipal officials, and art specialists who assist with restoration projects, publications, and awareness campaigns.

AWA's honors program

Each year, Advancing Women Artists presents awards that honor museum directors in Florence, female restorers, art patrons, and contemporary women artists who have made impactful contributions to Florence’s cultural legacy. These recognitions emphasize female leadership within the Fine Arts community.

Partial list of restorations

  • Suor Plautilla Nelli (1524–1588):
    • Lamentation with Saints, San Marco Museum (The Florence Committee)
    • Saint Catherine in Prayer, Last Supper Museum of Andrea del Sarto
    • Saint Dominic Receives the Rosary, Last Supper Museum of Andrea del Sarto
    • Saint Catherine Receives the Stigmata, Last Supper Museum of Andrea del Sarto
    • Last Supper, Santa Maria Novella Museum
  • Artemisia Gentileschi:
    • David and Bathsheba, The Palatine Gallery, Royal Apartments (The Florence Committee)
  • Félicie de Fauveau:
    • Burial monument to Louise de Favreau, Basilica of Santa Croce
    • Burial monument to Madame Anne de la Pierre, Church of Santa Maria del Carmine
  • Irene Parenti Duclos:
    • Replica of Andrea del Sarto's Madonna de Sacco, Accademia Gallery
  • Violante Ferroni:
    • The Saint visits plague victims and The Saint gives bread to the poor, Church of San Giovanni di Dio

Books and Publications

Gallery

A selection of restored works


External Links

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