We envision a world where both cancer patients and aspiring artists have access to the resources and sustenance necessary for their well-being and creative potential.

Elysia Borowy with mural artwork by Ndubisi Okoye

Our New Director

The Rema Hort Mann Foundation is thrilled to welcome Elysia Borowy as its Executive Director. Her appointment marks the start of our next phase of expanded grantmaking and programming. In this role, Elysia will advance our work enabling cancer patients to connect with family and loved ones during treatment, and enhance and expand our grant programs for emerging artists at critical junctures in their careers.

Read more about Elysia’s appointment by downloading the press release.

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About us

The Rema Hort Mann Foundation was established on our deep belief in the healing powers of creativity and community. In our work, we’ve discovered meaningful kinship and connection between emerging artists and individuals battling cancer. We celebrate their shared spirit of bravery, resilience, and hope as a community, and we empower their individual journeys toward healing and artistic creativity.

Rema during treatment with her grandmother

Rema Hort Mann’s life exemplified her deep love of family, art, and community. Immersed in New York City’s vibrant art scene, she championed emerging visual artists who struggled to balance their passion with rejection, criticism, and financial constraints. Rema bravely battled cancer until her untimely passing at the age of 30. Throughout her fight, Rema’s family and community provided steadfast emotional support, ensuring her quality of life to the end.

In 1995, her family founded the Rema Hort Mann Foundation, offering vital support and resources to emerging artists and cancer patients when they need it most. For nearly three decades, her brother Peter successfully guided the foundation’s programs and initiatives. Regrettably, his endeavors were cut short by cancer, leading to his passing in 2022. Through our work, we strive to honor the legacy and vision of the Hort Mann family.

Michael and Susan Hort

Buy What You Love

Our annual benefit returns, promising an unforgettable experience!

At Storage, Tuesday, May 14, 2024 6.30 to 9.30 pm

Buy What You Love connects buyers to artists—from emerging to established, local to international. Over 300 original works on paper, each measuring at 8.5 x 11 inches, will be on view for purchase. All works will be exhibited anonymously, encouraging viewers to buy what they love. Artist’s name and contact information will be revealed upon purchase.

Buy What You Love at Storage, follows a reverse-auction format, where the price of each artwork decreases as the evening progresses. Here is a breakdown of the auction stages:

From 7:00 to 7:45 pm: Each work will be priced at $500.

From 7:50 to 8:30 pm: The price per work will drop to $250.

From 8:35 to 9.20 pm: The final price for each work will be $125.

Preview select works for purchase online now.

Shop Now

What we do

Peter Hort Quality of Life Grants

The Peter Hort Quality of Life Grant unites families affected by cancer. We strive to alleviate isolation experienced by patients during treatment by offering emotional support from loved ones as they navigate the challenges of their illness. Through our efforts, we empower patients to find solace and strength by fostering a community of healing and support.

The foundation partners with social workers from leading hospitals in the NYC metropolitan area to identify candidates who are in most need of funding and support. Grants cover travel, lodging, child care, phone bills, and related expenses to help ensure a patient’s quality of life is nourished and protected. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for grants up to $2,500,based on the patient's direct needs.

Patient and Jamie Hort

“In the midst of my cancer battle, the generosity of the grant to bring my sister from Ontario was a beacon of hope. Her presence by my side during treatment reminded me that I am not alone in this fight.”
Arnovio, age 32, diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
“We cannot thank you enough for helping to bring our family together during this difficult time. We are very grateful. The grant brought us so much hope. Thank you so much for your support.”
Ana, age 76, diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer
Loyda, age 55, was still grieving the passing of her husband when she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Our foundation covered childcare costs for her sister so she could be by Loyda’s side and provide the vital emotional support needed.
Lisvet is a 33-year-old single mom of three who is battling Stage III Colon Cancer. Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, our foundation stepped in to help bring her uncle from Florida so that she may receive essential support while undergoing treatment.
"I cannot express how much your foundation's generosity meant to us.Your gift covered a week of our hotel bills while my husband was still recovering from his stem celltransplant. Although he has a long way to go, your kindness brightened an otherwise gloomy situation."
Talia, wife of Marc, age 49, diagnosed with Myelofibrosis
At age 33, Anabel is battling Colon Cancer that is progressing, while struggling to raise two young children. She desperately needed the support of her mother, but also needed her children to be taken care of. Our foundation worked to cover the cost of child care so that Anabel’s mother could be by her side and provide the crucial emotional support she needed.

“In the midst of my cancer battle, the generosity of the grant to bring my sister from Ontario was a beacon of hope. Her presence by my side during treatment reminded me that I am not alone in this fight.”
Arnovio, age 32, diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
“We cannot thank you enough for helping to bring our family together during this difficult time. We are very grateful. The grant brought us so much hope. Thank you so much for your support.”
Ana, age 76, diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer
Loyda, age 55, was still grieving the passing of her husband when she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Our foundation covered childcare costs for her sister so she could be by Loyda’s side and provide the vital emotional support needed.
Lisvet is a 33-year-old single mom of three who is battling Stage III Colon Cancer. Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, our foundation stepped in to help bring her uncle from Florida so that she may receive essential support while undergoing treatment.
"I cannot express how much your foundation's generosity meant to us.Your gift covered a week of our hotel bills while my husband was still recovering from his stem celltransplant. Although he has a long way to go, your kindness brightened an otherwise gloomy situation."
Talia, wife of Marc, age 49, diagnosed with Myelofibrosis
At age 33, Anabel is battling Colon Cancer that is progressing, while struggling to raise two young children. She desperately needed the support of her mother, but also needed her children to be taken care of. Our foundation worked to cover the cost of child care so that Anabel’s mother could be by her side and provide the crucial emotional support she needed.

Jamie Hort, David Biro, and Charlotte Meyer

David Biro and Peter Hort

Emerging Artist Grant

The Emerging Artist Grant celebrates burgeoning talents who are committed to pushing the boundaries of contemporary visual art. These artists are poised to make their mark but have yet to showcase their work in a solo exhibition.

Annually, over 100 artists receive a nomination-only invitation from 50+ distinguished arts professionals. Following a competitive selection process, an independent jury grants 10 recipients $12,500 each. One artist earns a special recognition award of an additional $2,500 in honor of Peter Hort. In addition to funding, recipients are afforded special programming and networking opportunities for visibility and professional growth.

At their most critical juncture, our foundation has supported and empowered artists on their path toward recognition including Sanford Biggers, Kehinde Wiley, Christina Quarles, Mickalene Thomas, Abigail DeVille, Sarah Sze, and Njideka Akunyili Crosby.

"Receiving the grant has had a massive impact on my career. I would not be here if it weren’t for the fact that I was able to buy paint—cover my expenses during a time when I had no other options."
Kehinde Wiley
“This grant provided me with both financial and community support during a pivotal time an artist faces directly after grad school…and provided me with the financial bridge I needed to create work that would be shown at studios later that year.”
Christina Quarles
“When I received the grant…I was at a real crossroads in my career. We often think of awards as a monetary gain but we forget that it acknowledges and validates artists…It was a moment of saying, ‘we see you, M. We recognize your talent, we recognize your vision, and we believe in you.”
Mickalene Thomas
“The grant was a moment of recognition and acknowledgement that my hard work was paying off. It was also instrumental in allowing me to take risks and explore materials and projects that I may not have done if I did not have that security.”
Sanford Biggers
“The Rema Hort Mann Foundation has given support to emerging artists for decades and helped generations of powerful artists.”
Sarah Sze
“I am very grateful to the RHMF for their invaluable early support of my practice and for modeling the important work of assisting young artists.”
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
"Receiving the grant has had a massive impact on my career. I would not be here if it weren’t for the fact that I was able to buy paint—cover my expenses during a time when I had no other options."
Kehinde Wiley
“This grant provided me with both financial and community support during a pivotal time an artist faces directly after grad school…and provided me with the financial bridge I needed to create work that would be shown at studios later that year.”
Christina Quarles
“When I received the grant…I was at a real crossroads in my career. We often think of awards as a monetary gain but we forget that it acknowledges and validates artists…It was a moment of saying, ‘we see you, M. We recognize your talent, we recognize your vision, and we believe in you.”
Mickalene Thomas
“The grant was a moment of recognition and acknowledgement that my hard work was paying off. It was also instrumental in allowing me to take risks and explore materials and projects that I may not have done if I did not have that security.”
Sanford Biggers
“The Rema Hort Mann Foundation has given support to emerging artists for decades and helped generations of powerful artists.”
Sarah Sze
“I am very grateful to the RHMF for their invaluable early support of my practice and for modeling the important work of assisting young artists.”
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
"Receiving the grant has had a massive impact on my career. I would not be here if it weren’t for the fact that I was able to buy paint—cover my expenses during a time when I had no other options."
Kehinde Wiley
“This grant provided me with both financial and community support during a pivotal time an artist faces directly after grad school…and provided me with the financial bridge I needed to create work that would be shown at studios later that year.”
Christina Quarles
“When I received the grant…I was at a real crossroads in my career. We often think of awards as a monetary gain but we forget that it acknowledges and validates artists…It was a moment of saying, ‘we see you, M. We recognize your talent, we recognize your vision, and we believe in you.”
Mickalene Thomas
“The grant was a moment of recognition and acknowledgement that my hard work was paying off. It was also instrumental in allowing me to take risks and explore materials and projects that I may not have done if I did not have that security.”
Sanford Biggers
“The Rema Hort Mann Foundation has given support to emerging artists for decades and helped generations of powerful artists.”
Sarah Sze
“I am very grateful to the RHMF for their invaluable early support of my practice and for modeling the important work of assisting young artists.”
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
"Receiving the grant has had a massive impact on my career. I would not be here if it weren’t for the fact that I was able to buy paint—cover my expenses during a time when I had no other options."
Kehinde Wiley
“This grant provided me with both financial and community support during a pivotal time an artist faces directly after grad school…and provided me with the financial bridge I needed to create work that would be shown at studios later that year.”
Christina Quarles
“When I received the grant…I was at a real crossroads in my career. We often think of awards as a monetary gain but we forget that it acknowledges and validates artists…It was a moment of saying, ‘we see you, M. We recognize your talent, we recognize your vision, and we believe in you.”
Mickalene Thomas
“The grant was a moment of recognition and acknowledgement that my hard work was paying off. It was also instrumental in allowing me to take risks and explore materials and projects that I may not have done if I did not have that security.”
Sanford Biggers
“The Rema Hort Mann Foundation has given support to emerging artists for decades and helped generations of powerful artists.”
Sarah Sze
“I am very grateful to the RHMF for their invaluable early support of my practice and for modeling the important work of assisting young artists.”
Njideka Akunyili Crosby

"Receiving the grant has had a massive impact on my career. I would not be here if it weren’t for the fact that I was able to buy paint—cover my expenses during a time when I had no other options."
Kehinde Wiley
“This grant provided me with both financial and community support during a pivotal time an artist faces directly after grad school…and provided me with the financial bridge I needed to create work that would be shown at studios later that year.”
Christina Quarles
“When I received the grant…I was at a real crossroads in my career. We often think of awards as a monetary gain but we forget that it acknowledges and validates artists…It was a moment of saying, ‘we see you, M. We recognize your talent, we recognize your vision, and we believe in you.”
Mickalene Thomas
“The grant was a moment of recognition and acknowledgement that my hard work was paying off. It was also instrumental in allowing me to take risks and explore materials and projects that I may not have done if I did not have that security.”
Sanford Biggers
“The Rema Hort Mann Foundation has given support to emerging artists for decades and helped generations of powerful artists.”
Sarah Sze
“I am very grateful to the RHMF for their invaluable early support of my practice and for modeling the important work of assisting young artists.”
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
"Receiving the grant has had a massive impact on my career. I would not be here if it weren’t for the fact that I was able to buy paint—cover my expenses during a time when I had no other options."
Kehinde Wiley
“This grant provided me with both financial and community support during a pivotal time an artist faces directly after grad school…and provided me with the financial bridge I needed to create work that would be shown at studios later that year.”
Christina Quarles
“When I received the grant…I was at a real crossroads in my career. We often think of awards as a monetary gain but we forget that it acknowledges and validates artists…It was a moment of saying, ‘we see you, M. We recognize your talent, we recognize your vision, and we believe in you.”
Mickalene Thomas
“The grant was a moment of recognition and acknowledgement that my hard work was paying off. It was also instrumental in allowing me to take risks and explore materials and projects that I may not have done if I did not have that security.”
Sanford Biggers
“The Rema Hort Mann Foundation has given support to emerging artists for decades and helped generations of powerful artists.”
Sarah Sze
“I am very grateful to the RHMF for their invaluable early support of my practice and for modeling the important work of assisting young artists.”
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
"Receiving the grant has had a massive impact on my career. I would not be here if it weren’t for the fact that I was able to buy paint—cover my expenses during a time when I had no other options."
Kehinde Wiley
“This grant provided me with both financial and community support during a pivotal time an artist faces directly after grad school…and provided me with the financial bridge I needed to create work that would be shown at studios later that year.”
Christina Quarles
“When I received the grant…I was at a real crossroads in my career. We often think of awards as a monetary gain but we forget that it acknowledges and validates artists…It was a moment of saying, ‘we see you, M. We recognize your talent, we recognize your vision, and we believe in you.”
Mickalene Thomas
“The grant was a moment of recognition and acknowledgement that my hard work was paying off. It was also instrumental in allowing me to take risks and explore materials and projects that I may not have done if I did not have that security.”
Sanford Biggers
“The Rema Hort Mann Foundation has given support to emerging artists for decades and helped generations of powerful artists.”
Sarah Sze
“I am very grateful to the RHMF for their invaluable early support of my practice and for modeling the important work of assisting young artists.”
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
"Receiving the grant has had a massive impact on my career. I would not be here if it weren’t for the fact that I was able to buy paint—cover my expenses during a time when I had no other options."
Kehinde Wiley
“This grant provided me with both financial and community support during a pivotal time an artist faces directly after grad school…and provided me with the financial bridge I needed to create work that would be shown at studios later that year.”
Christina Quarles
“When I received the grant…I was at a real crossroads in my career. We often think of awards as a monetary gain but we forget that it acknowledges and validates artists…It was a moment of saying, ‘we see you, M. We recognize your talent, we recognize your vision, and we believe in you.”
Mickalene Thomas
“The grant was a moment of recognition and acknowledgement that my hard work was paying off. It was also instrumental in allowing me to take risks and explore materials and projects that I may not have done if I did not have that security.”
Sanford Biggers
“The Rema Hort Mann Foundation has given support to emerging artists for decades and helped generations of powerful artists.”
Sarah Sze
“I am very grateful to the RHMF for their invaluable early support of my practice and for modeling the important work of assisting young artists.”
Njideka Akunyili Crosby

Our New Director

Our New Director

Download

About us

Buy What You Love

Our annual benefit returns, promising an unforgettable experience!

Shop Now

What we do

Peter Hort Quality of Life Grants

Emerging Artist Grant

Our Partners