Violette de Mazia believed that education is a lifelong activity of growth, development and change; that life and art are inextricably linked; that all human beings possess an aesthetic nature; and that enriching this aspect of our lives is a prerequisite to a cultured society. The Foundation is dedicated to the continuance of these principles and to the vision of her colleague Dr. Albert C. Barnes: to provide for a better society and the common good through education.

The Violette de Mazia Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1991 by Ms. de Mazia’s will and funded with the proceeds of her estate. In 2005 the trust was converted to a charitable foundation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A former director of education and vice president of the board of The Barnes Foundation, de Mazia was the driving force behind the art education program at The Barnes.

The Violette de Mazia Foundation's mission is to promote, teach, study and advance the aesthetic philosophy theories and experiential educational methods of art appreciation developed by John Dewey, Albert C. Barnes and Violette de Mazia. Based on their objective method of art appreciation, our courses show students how to objectively look at works of art, as well as the world around them.

The Foundation develops and underwrites programs, projects and activities based on the theories, methods and approaches of Barnes and de Mazia. To contact the Foundation about its underwriting or developing a program that fulfills its mission, click here.