The Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation (CIFO) is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Ella Fontanals-Cisneros and her family to foster cultural exchange and enhance the arts. Over the years, CIFO has gained recognition in the international art community for its significant contributions to promoting Latin American contemporary art.
The foundation’s mission is to support the advancement of cultural understanding and educational dialogue between Latin American artists and global audiences. CIFO provides a platform for emerging, mid-career, and established Latin American artists through initiatives such as the Grants & Commissions Program, Traveling Exhibitions Program, The CIFO Collection, and various related art and cultural projects both in the U.S. and internationally. Since its inception, CIFO has awarded over $2 million to more than 150 Latin American artists and has showcased their work.
CIFO also serves as the guardian of the Ella Fontanals-Cisneros Collection, one of modern and contemporary art’s most significant international collections. Numerous pieces from the EFC Collection have been loaned long-term to prestigious institutions, including Tate Modern in London, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York and Bilbao.
CIFO believes in forging relationships within the art community. We strive to inspire Latin American artists, nurture their creativity, and help them transcend as artists.
