Cuban Artists Fund

The Cuban Artists Fund (CAF) was established in 1998 in New York City by cultural leaders including Cuban-born Lourdes Lopez, Rockefeller Brothers Program Director Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, and motivational speaker and leadership advisor Maria Caso. The organization emerged from a desire to connect and support Cuban and Cuban American artists by providing grants, resources, and networks to foster artistic expression and cultural exchange. Over the decades, CAF has become a trusted partner for artists and institutions, navigating political challenges to promote Cuban arts on an international stage, emphasizing the role of creativity in transcending borders and fostering understanding. Its mission emphasizes the power of art to unite people, balancing tradition with contemporary expression while overcoming barriers that have historically marginalized Cuban art and its artists.

Throughout its history, CAF has addressed critical needs, such as the scarcity of art supplies and limited cultural exchange opportunities during its early years, by sponsoring exhibitions, films, books, and events. In 2016, Lourdes Lopez was appointed by President Obama to participate in a cultural delegation to Cuba, an effort to expand cultural collaboration between the U.S. and Cuba that reflects CAF’s commitment to fostering dialogue through the arts.