The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation recognizes the power of the arts to challenge and shift perceptions, spark creativity and connect people across cultures. We lend and exhibit artworks from our collection and support innovative individuals and pivotal initiatives in the arts.
Inspired to make contributions with wide-ranging yet personal impact, Carl and Marilynn Thoma founded the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation in 2014 to distinguish their initiatives in and support of the visual arts. The Thomas hold a strong belief that the arts play a seminal role in society, and the establishment of an arts-specific foundation allowed them to be secure in the knowledge that their passion in this area would be sustained for decades to come.
In 2021 the Foundation was re-named to more broadly reflect our expanded efforts. The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation philanthropic reach extends beyond the artworld to strengthen community, leadership, and education initiatives in under-resourced and rural areas.
From 2015 to 2020, the Foundation has lent more than 1,000 works of art to over 115 exhibitions across the globe. In addition, the Foundation has made over 65 grants to nonprofit organizations, awarded funding to 21 individuals for scholarly research, and hosted 26 exhibitions at its spaces. The Foundation’s collection numbers more than 1,400 works of art and continues to grow.
Founders
Carl Thoma
Marilynn Thoma
Board of Directors
Carl Thoma, President
Marilynn Thoma, Vice President & Treasurer
Gary S. Hart, Secretary
Mark Thoma
Margo Thoma
Staff
Alli Deri, Thoma Foundation Administrator
Christine Dong, Strategic Projects Associate
Duncan Bass, Curatorial Assistant
Jason Foumberg, Curator of Digital & Media Art
Kate Weinstein, Collections Manager & Registrar
Kathleen Richards, Art Spaces Director & Exhibitions Manager
Kathryn Santner, Thoma Scholar, Art of the Spanish Americas
Sarah Rovang, Program Officer