Tom of Finland Foundation — 41st Anniversary

Preserving Queer art.
Celebrating subculture.
Protecting expression.
FOR 41 YEARS

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Through stewardship of Tom of Finland's work and related archives, our Foundation advances a broader appreciation of erotic art and champions freedom of expression.

December 11, 2025. APPARATUS

01. Who

Tom of Finland Foundation, founded in 1984, holds the largest collection of Tom of Finland drawings, and safeguards the world's largest collection of queer and erotic art—including over 1,800 of Tom's original works, thousands of photographs, letters, and archival materials. For over 40 years, we've nurtured artists, hosted one of the longest-running Queer residencies, and brought exhibitions to audiences from Los Angeles to Helsinki, and Paris, Berlin and London

02. Why

Why We Gather

On December 11th, we descend upon APPARATUS in Chelsea to celebrate resilience. But this is more than an affair; it is an act of stewardship.

For forty-one years, Tom of Finland Foundation has stood as a guardian against erasure. We are not just preserving drawings; we are protecting a culture. We are a museum, library and research center, archive, a home, and a global hub for Queer expression.

Our Mission is Absolute

We steward the legacy of Tom of Finland so that freedom of expression remains, sexual and Queer liberation expands, and global Queer futures thrive. We protect Queer and Queer art. We Queer the canon. We nurture artists. We foster belonging. We strengthen Queer lives.

03. What

Your contribution sustains four critical pillars of action.

I. Nurturing Artists: The Residency

We invite artists to live at TOM House in Los Angeles for three-months cycles. Our Artist-in-Residence Program provides the ultimate luxury to QTBIPOC artists: inspiration and safe space.

II. Protecting Art: The Archives

We maintain the world's largest known collections of erotic art and ephemera. This is our defense against censorship in a time where our history is more important than ever.

III. Strengthening Grounds: Research

We refuse to let our history be forgotten or our psychology be pathologized. We aim to support research in:

We document and archive the lineages of our community to ensure our stories are canonized in history books rather than erased.

We support exhibitions and publications that celebrate the nuances of our lifestyle as essential cultural heritage.

We fund research into the positive mental health impacts of sexual expression and community belonging to combat stigma with science.

We preserve the artifacts and history of leather and kink, framing these practices as vital expressions of human intimacy and trust.

We provide the technical stewardship to restore and protect aging erotic artworks, ensuring they survive for future generations.

We foster belonging through life drawing classes, workshops, and salons that create safe spaces for shared creative expression.

IV. Global Stage: Public Programming

We bring the fight for Queer liberation to a global stage. From our headquarters in Los Angeles to our recent collaboration with Berghain in Berlin, we transform spaces into hubs of education and artistic resistance.

04. How

Where Your Donation Goes

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Visual Arts Organization. We do not have structural endowments or corporate shareholders. Every dollar raised tonight supports the Foundation’s ecosystem and our dedication to its mission.

Build the Future With Us.

Build the Future With Us.

We are launching Be a Part of Queer History to unleash the collective power of our community. Queers have always built worlds out of nothing, and we need your talents, networks, and creativity to continue that legacy. Whether offering professional skills, introductions, or financial support, your contribution ensures Queer history is preserved, celebrated, and passed on.

Preserve queer art. Celebrate subculture. Protect expression.