501(c)(3) Public Charity · Est. Through Art

Where art becomes
a force for equality. justice. peace. healing.

VUGA Foundation Inc. champions emerging contemporary artists and filmmakers — providing exhibitions, public programs, and therapeutic art programs, and producing and distributing meaningful film and media that transform lives and amplify voices that matter.

Make a Donation Explore Our Projects

Ways to give We accept cash and selected in-kind donations, including new merchandise, vehicles, artwork, archives, and cultural objects. For non-cash gifts, donors should consult their own advisor regarding appraisal, documentation, and applicable U.S. tax rules.

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∞Artists Empowered
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Our Mission

Art that moves the world forward.

VUGA Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(2) public charitable organization dedicated to supporting emerging contemporary artists and elevating their voices through exhibitions, public programs, and community workshops.

We believe art has the power to illuminate injustice, heal trauma, bridge cultures, and imagine a more equitable world. Through every program we fund, we invest in artists whose work advances equality, justice, and global peace.

  • Contemporary Art
  • Social Impact
  • Cultural Equity
  • Creative Therapy
  • Global Exhibitions
  • Journalism
  • Filmmaking
  • Music
  • Fashion
  • American Heritage Monuments
Contemporary art fair — collectors and gallerists in conversation with paintings and sculpture on white walls
Theater stage rehearsal — costumed performers on stage under warm spotlights with an audience watching from the stalls
Runway show — fashion models walking in dramatic gowns under cinematic lighting in a gallery-like venue
American Heritage Monuments

History cast in bronze.

Honoring the pioneers, presidents, and achievements that shaped America.

Steven Barber: bringing monuments to life

VUGA Foundation works with director and documentary filmmaker Steven Barber to preserve American history through public art.

Barber brings a record of securing support, commissioning sculptors, and helping bring major bronze monuments to public spaces — from tributes to America’s space pioneers to Thomas Jefferson at the White House and President Jimmy Carter at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Explore Our Monuments Work →
The Eagle Has Landed bronze monument depicting Apollo 11 astronauts Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin with an American flag
The Eagle Has Landed — the Apollo 11 monument commissioned by Steven Barber for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, sculpted by George Lundeen, Mark Lundeen, and Joey Bainer. Photo: Lundeen Sculpture, CC BY-SA 4.0.
U.S. Space Program

Celebrating America’s space pioneers

Barber has helped bring landmark astronaut sculptures into being, working with sculptors including George and Mark Lundeen and their collaborators.

  • Apollo 11: The Eagle Has Landed honors Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
  • Apollo 13: A bronze tribute to Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise stands at Space Center Houston’s Rocket Park.
  • Sally Ride: A statue honoring the first American woman in space was unveiled at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York, in 2022.
The museum on Barber’s role ↗
White House Rose Garden

Thomas Jefferson

Barber helped connect sculptor George Lundeen with the White House to bring Lundeen’s bronze of Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence to the Rose Garden in 2026.

The work reflects our commitment to preserving American history through enduring sculpture in significant public settings.

Read the Associated Press coverage ↗
U.S. Naval Academy · Annapolis

President Jimmy Carter

A bronze bust honoring President Jimmy Carter was unveiled at Carter Hall on October 1, 2026, celebrating the Naval Academy graduate and 39th president of the United States.

The Academy’s official ceremony record credits Barber with the bust — a milestone in his work with VUGA Foundation to honor American service and leadership.

View the Naval Academy ceremony record ↗
What We Do

Projects that move the mission forward.

From public art and exhibitions to the festivals and cultural weeks we champion — each project gives creators a platform and communities a reason to gather.

01

Public Art Museum

A publicly accessible collection featuring culturally relevant works that promote equality, justice, and global peace.

Learn more 02

Exhibitions

Sponsoring and participating in nonprofit gallery exhibitions worldwide to bring the Foundation's collection to international audiences.

Learn more 03

American Heritage Monuments

Installing bronze historical sculptures across America — preserving our shared history through monumental public art.

Learn more 04

Florida Supports Florida

A VUGA Foundation program helping emerging Florida-based artists and creatives share their work and reach new audiences.

Learn more 05

Art US Nation Association & Award

A U.S.-based cultural platform uniting artists, collectors, galleries, and curators worldwide — strategic partner of the VUGA Foundation, with annual award and flagship week in Miami.

Learn more 06

Somnia Disaster

An international art and photo project bridging Chernobyl, Fukushima, and Three Mile Island — contemporary artists rethinking nuclear tragedy and ecological fragility.

Learn more 07

Canvas for Peace

A global anti-war art initiative — featuring work from Victoria Unikel and fellow artists worldwide, confronting conflict and calling for an end to the wars of our time.

Learn more 08

Follow Your Heart Film Festival

An international film festival — founded 2022, taking place in Miami and NYC — uniting filmmakers from over 100 countries at the intersection of cinema, fashion, and art.

Learn more 09

Virtuoso TV

A premium performing arts television channel dedicated to classical music, opera, theater, and ballet — making world-class performances accessible to everyone.

Learn more 10

Miami Pride TV

A new TV channel building bridges across Miami's diverse communities — a platform for shared stories, culture, and connection.

Learn more 11

Innocent Voice

A narrative short film exploring the intersection of race, class, gender, and justice through two women wrongfully imprisoned — written by Victoria Unikel.

Learn more 12

Student Essentials Box

Collecting donated goods from major retailers and delivering affordable subscription boxes of brand-name essentials to students in need.

Learn more 13

Sunny Isles Beach Fashion Week

A social initiative bringing designers directly to the residents and visitors of Sunny Isles Beach — a seaside celebration of contemporary fashion.

Learn more
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Your support makes every project possible.

Every donation supports our programs and cultural initiatives — processed fee-free through Zeffy.

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Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.
— a guiding belief at VUGA Foundation
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Get In Touch

Let's create something meaningful together.

Whether you're an artist, partner organization, or supporter — we'd love to hear from you.

Email contact@vugafoundation.org
Instagram @vugafoundation
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