Mabou, from the book Good Days Quiet, 2019
Mission
The June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation is dedicated to securing the long term, distinctive legacies of these two extraordinary artists. By encouraging the preservation, disbursement, and promotion of their art, our mission is to continue to inspire future generations of artists, curators and scholars in the further exploration, research and understanding of their artistic legacies.
History
In 1995, Robert Frank and June Leaf with the help of four friends founded The Andrea Frank Foundation, in memory of Robert Frank's daughter who was killed in a plane crash in 1974. From 1996-2001 the Foundation distributed funds from the sale of Frank’s collection of artwork by his dear friend Sanyu (1895-1966). Grants were awarded to artist projects, non-profit organizations, and a scholarship fund was established at Yale University School of Art in memory of Sanyu.
Robert Frank passed on Sept. 9, 2019, leaving a bequest to the Foundation of his own artwork, copyright, papers, and archives. In 2022 the Foundation began a new chapter as The June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation. During their fifty years of marriage, June Leaf (1929-2024) and Robert Frank (1924-2019) created art across the disciplines of painting, photography, sculpture and film.