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The endeavour to establish the Manuel Carmo Foundation was launched three years ago, subsequent to my “Manifesto 24” at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, in New York. The idea came from Anne Edgar, Anne Edgar Associates' Chairperson and from Holly Block, the New York Art In General's Director. Teresa Lobo, Professor at the Columbia University, immediately adhered to the support to the project and, soon after, was followed by Alfred Hoffman Jr, the former USA Ambassador in Portugal, and by Charles Buchannan, then the Chairman of the American Club, in Portugal. To each and all of them, I wish to express my gratitude.
On the 11th of February, 2008, with the expertise and support from the Harvard BS, the Manuel Carmo Foundation gets its legal statutory identity through its incorporation as a non profit institution, in the State of Delaware under nr 45027-20. On February 18, the Foundation opens its offices in New York, in Manhattan East Upper Side, and on February 25, in Lisbon, in Bairro Alto.
A non-profit Foundation, its incorporation statutes declare its objective to “promote and disseminate worldwide the art works by Manuel Carmo and to promote cultural and art interchange between artists from the United States of America and European artists” - a twofold objective, which I am honoured to pursue and which will enable, through Portugal, a closer relationship between the Arts of both continents.
Structured on a totally private equity, we aim at achieving, also in cooperation with similar private or non-private institutions, such missions as to ensure art evaluation exclusive criteria. Our independence being assured by the spreading of financial supports, these will also be the main tools for us to exclusively develop those missions.
The Manuel Carmo Foundation's Directors of the Board will perform without remuneration, in their voluntary capacity. The raised funds and all institutional supports will fully aim at the prosecution of those actions providing for the closer art relationship between the two continents, among its authors and promoters, mainly through reciprocated Exhibitions, Scholarships and publishing of bibliography.
The Foundation will pursue an aggressive fund-raising policy, relying upon the civil society's good will in order to achieve its empowerment and be a leading voice in establishing quality criteria that may become its own legacy - and this is a becoming responsibility for all, each one according to his/her measure.
Whereas a first challenge was overcome in the United States, it is timely to bring this endeavour into the Old Continent, if there is the commitment to independently tread the new paths ahead.
9th of March, 2008
Jorge Manuel do Carmo Pereira de Almeida
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