Rauschenberg in front of the Fish House with Global Chute (Kabal American Zephyr) (1982) Captiva Florida circa 1982. Photo: Terry Van Brunt
Throughout his career Robert Rauschenberg used his platform as an artist to increase knowledge about global issues and to raise money for many causes and organizations.
The safekeeping of the environment and the notion of individual responsibility for the welfare of life on earth was one of Rauschenberg’s key causes. This commitment to the environment that extended throughout various aspects of his work and life took focus in 1970 when he purchased his first tract of land on Captiva Island. Rauschenberg viewed his residence in Captiva as dependent on the natural environment of the island. He therefore focused on the maintenance of this land as a natural habitat throughout his lifetime. Images from the surrounding landscape and wildlife as well as of issues that affected the island such as water conservation served as regular inspiration for his work. Over the course of forty years he bought historic cottages and adjacent land to preserve and protect it from encroaching commercial development and undertook a significant restoration of the landscape after Hurricane Charley in 2004.
Today the property remains intact as a pristine natural environment, hosting more than seventy artists each year for month-long residencies in Rauschenberg’s former home and studio.
Rauschenberg + Environment
Meet the artists: Rising Waters Confab II
Rising Waters Confab II will bring together the perspectives of architects, artists, scientists, and writers to address issues of climate change.
From left to right: Edgar painting on the ledge and grabbing the window of Carmen's house. Photo: Thais Llorca Lezcano; #dalitwomenfight tour. Photo: Thenmozhi Soundararajan; Interior Rendering of the School on Wheels. Credit: Deanna Van Buren and Julia Grinkrug; 1Hood Media Academy Class of 2015. Photo: Njaimeh Njie; People’s Climate March, Hurricane Sandy Survivors, 2014; Floating lanterns carrying the written memories of project participants in Chile.
Philanthropy in Action: Year one in the field with Artist as Activist Fellows
Chosen from a pool of over 600 artists, the 2015-16 Artist as Activist Fellows were selected for their commitment to tackling social and political issues through their creative process.
Rauschenberg at Gemini G.E.L. Los Angeles 1969. Photo: Sidney B. Felsen © 1969; Rauschenberg's Collection 1954.
Foundation Announces Pioneering Fair Use Image Policy
We are pleased to announce a new Fair Use policy- the first to be adopted by an artist-endowed foundation–that will make images of Rauschenberg's artwork more accessible to museums, scholars, artists, and the public.
Meet the Artists: Rauschenberg Residency 18
Visit the Artists in Residence page to learn more about the Residency 18 artists.
From left to right: Bill Arning (Photo: Eric Hester), Victoria Camblin (Photo: Jill Frank), Lynn Crawford, Kevin Killian (Photo: Christopher Felver), and Cameron Shaw (Photo: Andres Gonzalez)
Foundation Partners with Art in America to Launch Pilot Writing Fellowship
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, in partnership with Art in America, has launched a pilot writing fellowship to support arts and culture writing in regions of the country that are often underrepresented in the med
Rauschenberg working on The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece (1981–98) in his Laika Lane studio, Captiva, Florida, ca. 1983. Photo: Attributed to Terry Van Brunt
Rauschenberg in China: The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece to travel nearly 7000 miles to be exhibited in Beijing, June 2016
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is delighted to announce that the artist's The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece (1981–98) will be shown at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing from June 12–August 21, 2016.
Meet the Artists: Rauschenberg Residency 17
Visit the Artists in Residence page to learn about the Residency 17 artists.