To our friends and community,

Robert Rauschenberg believed that change was essential to creativity—that crossing boundaries and embracing the unknown could open new possibilities. That belief continues to drive forward our mission at the Foundation to support artists with care, flexibility and purpose.

Following a multi-year study and after careful consideration, the Foundation’s Board of Directors has reached the decision to sell its property in Captiva, home to the Rauschenberg Residency. In recent years, the Foundation has dedicated significant resources to address increasingly challenging environmental conditions, including recurring storm damage, broader climate risks, and rising maintenance costs. A sustainability assessment confirmed that safeguarding the property would require substantial additional investment and site modifications, without ensuring the property’s long-term resilience or reducing the likelihood of future costs.

As stewards of Rauschenberg’s legacy, the Foundation has a responsibility to allocate its resources in ways that sustain a wide range of mission-driven programs, both now and in the future. We recognize it may be difficult to reconcile this responsibility with the deep significance Captiva holds for so many, including the local community. At the same time, redirecting funds currently allocated to Captiva’s upkeep, together with proceeds from its sale, will allow us to invest more intentionally in programs that support artists and institutions in communities where they live and work.

As part of this transition, the Board will conclude the Rauschenberg Residency at Captiva in August 2026. Until then, the program will remain active and operational, welcoming artists through its final year and completing all planned residencies. The Foundation will also continue to operate its Archives Research Residency program at its New York headquarters at 381 Lafayette Street. Additionally, we will work to maintain the integrity of the Fish House, the Captiva property’s historic 1942 waterfront home.

With more than 500 residency alumni, Captiva has played a vital role in shaping the Foundation’s identity and impact. We are truly grateful to all who have contributed to the Residency over the years. It has been a place where ideas were shared, friendships formed, and new work imagined. The spirit of Captiva will remain a lasting part of the Foundation’s story. We remain steadfast in our commitment to carrying forward the spirit of creativity and community that Captiva nurtured, and will continue to build on Rauschenberg’s ethos of experimentation and reinvention through new forms of artistic support.

With appreciation,

Courtney J. Martin             
Executive Director          

Peter Kraus     
Chairman,  Board of Directors

Christopher Rauschenberg
President, Board of Directors