The Valerie J. Maynard Foundation

About
the Valerie J. Maynard Foundation

Mission Statement

Founded by artist Valerie J. Maynard in 2020, The Valerie J. Maynard Foundation uplifts her enduring legacy by preserving her art, advancing research, and nurturing the next generation of cultural stewards. Rooted in truth, sustained by culture, and inspired by her vision, we carry forward a commitment to justice and creativity.

Vision

This project is shaped by Valerie Maynard’s vision of art as a form of truth-telling and liberation. The Foundation’s work honors that vision by engaging artists not only as content creators, but also as stewards, educators, and cultural strategists.

Artists involved in this work — from visual storytellers to archival specialists — have guided the design of the internship curriculum, mentored participants, and will support the activation of digitized materials through exhibitions and convenings. In this way, art is both the content and the method: a tool for archiving memory, building intergenerational relationships, transferring skills and imagining just futures.

The Work

Our work centers on archiving and activating the life and legacy of Valerie J. Maynard through three primary avenues: (1) maintaining and sharing her extensive body of work and cultural contributions, (2) developing intergenerational programs that connect emerging artists with Maynard’s philosophies and practice, and (3) fostering community engagement through arts-based research, education, and preservation initiatives. At the heart of our current programming are our Legacy Specialist Internship Program and our new collaboration with the Billie Holiday Digital Humanities Mobile Lab, both of which serve as models of community-based learning, preservation, and cultural stewardship

Enhancing Place

Our work is firmly rooted in Baltimore, a city shaped by the rich contributions of Black cultural workers and the enduring effects of systemic disinvestment. We recognize that historically disadvantaged communities — particularly Black, Brown, and working-class communities — have often been excluded from mainstream cultural institutions and decision-making processes. Through our internship program and digital archiving initiatives, we provide access, training, and mentorship to young people from these communities, positioning them not only as beneficiaries but as co-stewards of cultural heritage.

By preserving and sharing the legacy of Valerie J. Maynard — a Black woman artist who fiercely addressed themes of justice, displacement, and ancestral memory — we offer a counter-narrative to dominant histories and provide a platform for underrepresented voices to be seen and heard.

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