The Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation fosters the legacy of Dorothy Gillespie’s life and work.

The Foundation supports artists, initiatives, and institutions that embody the same innovative, inclusive multidisciplinary approach that Dorothy Gillespie exemplified in both her art and philanthropic endeavors.

Since Dorothy Gillespie's passing in 2012, the Foundation has worked to ensure her legacy lives on — not just in museums and archives, but in the studios, classrooms, and hospital hallways where art does its quiet, daily work. Through grants, scholarships, residencies, and donations of Dorothy's original work, the Foundation continues the same mission she pursued for over seven decades: putting art where people actually are.

The Foundation supports organizations that share Dorothy's belief that art belongs in public life. Our grants fund speaker series, academic archives, arts education programs, and institutions working at the intersection of creativity and community.

Art & Education Grants

Rutgers University Dorothy M. Gillespie Papers Digital Project
The Women in the Arts Foundation Speaker Series
Artemis Journal
Limbitless Solutions
Taubman Museum of Art
Orlando Museum of Art
DeLand Museum of Art
Dance Foundation Birmingham
Dreams Center for Arts Education
Tennessee Arts Academy
Delaware Valley Arts Alliance
Nyack Library Visual Arts Programs
The Arts Council of Rockland
Rockland Center for the Arts:RoCA
SuffrageForward
Glencoe Mansion, Museum and Gallery
Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center
Women's Caucus for the Arts

Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation Endowment for the Arts

University of Central Florida

Dorothy spent much of her career mentoring young artists and visiting small colleges across the country as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow. The Foundation honors that commitment by funding annual art scholarships at the universities that shaped her career and shared her vision.

Art Scholarships

Roanoke College
Hollins University
Radford University
Maryland Institute College of Art
Caldwell University 
Niagara University 
University of Arkansas 
University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Birmingham. Southern College

Art Studio Internship/Residency

Radford University
James Madison University
Birmingham Southern College
University of Central Florida

One of the Foundation's most tangible acts of stewardship is placing Dorothy's original work permanently in spaces where it can be experienced daily — hospitals, libraries, schools, and community centers. These aren't loans. They're gifts, made in the belief that a colorful, joyful piece of art in a waiting room or a hallway can matter more than one hanging in a vault.

Art Donations

Caldwell University

Cape Fear Community College

Carilion Clinics Roanoke

Carilion New River Valley Medical Center

Casselberry City Hall

Children’s Hospital of Alabama

DREAMS Center for Arts Education

Glencoe Museum

GLOW Academy

Heritage Arts Center at Southport (Brunswick Community College)

Jawonio

Johnson City Medical Center

New Government Building (New Hanover County)

New Hanover Arboretum

New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Novant Health Betty H. Cameron Women's and Children's Hospital

Novant Health Main Hospital

Nyack Public Library

NYC Montefiore Hospital 

Orlando Health Horizon West

Orange County Administration

Radford Early Learning Center

Radford University

Randolph College

Roanoke Public Library

Tennessee Arts Academy

Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts

The Arts Council of Rockland

The Beau Biden Foundation

The Cameron Art Museum

The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Art Center

The New Hanover County Arboretum

The Radford Public Library

The Skyline Center

The Tennessee Arts Academy

The Wilmington Children's Museum

The Wilson Center (Cape Fear Community College

UNCW - Cultural Arts Building (CAB)

UNCW - Randall Library

University of Central Florida

The Foundation also maintains an active lending program, placing Dorothy’s work in institutions across the country on an ongoing basis.

Art on Loan

Roanoke Public Library
Jawonio
BRIDGES
New Hanover Arboretum
Glencoe Museum
Casselberry City Hall
SoBo Art Gallery
Orange County Administration
Nyack Public Library
Wilson Performing Arts Center
Orlando Health Horizon West
Dr. Phillips Performing Art Center
Joe Raso Hospice Residence
Rockland Center for the Arts
Edward Hopper House
The Cornell Art Museum

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