NEW YORK — The newly established Murmrr Arts Foundation (MAF) has launched The Murmrr Commission Series, introducing what it describes as a new model of cultural philanthropy centered on commissioning, preserving, and reinvesting in significant works of art. The initiative begins with Murmrr Commission No. 001, a portrait of Ms. Lauryn Hill created by internationally acclaimed artist Tomokazu Matsuyama.
The commission marks the Foundation’s first major project and serves as the cornerstone of its broader strategy to support cultural production across visual, literary, and performing arts while creating long-term charitable and educational benefits.
The portrait is scheduled to be unveiled during Ms. Lauryn Hill’s performance at The Clubhouse in East Hampton, New York, on July 25, 2026. The artwork will become the first piece in the Murmrr Arts Foundation’s permanent collection and establish a framework for future commissions intended to document and celebrate influential cultural figures.
The Foundation’s launch builds on more than a decade of multidisciplinary programming through Murmrr Presents, which has hosted a diverse range of artists and performers, including Björk, Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Beck, Annie Lennox, John Mulaney, Karl Ove Knausgaard, and Jim Jarmusch.
The inaugural commission focuses on Ms. Lauryn Hill, whose influence continues to extend across music, fashion, language, and contemporary culture. From her work with The Fugees to the enduring impact of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, released in 1998, Hill remains one of the most influential artists of her generation.
Her upcoming East Hampton appearance is expected to be particularly significant, as it represents one of only five U.S. performances she is scheduled to give this year and her first fully acoustic concert since MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 in 2002. In June 2026, she was also recognized with the Living Legend Icon Award at the BET Awards.
The connection between Hill and Matsuyama reflects a shared relationship with contemporary culture and identity. Matsuyama, who has frequently discussed the influence of New York City on his artistic development, has cited artists such as The Fugees and Nas among the creative inspirations that drew him to the city.
According to the Foundation, the portrait represents a dialogue between two artists whose work has helped shape conversations around identity and cultural expression through different creative disciplines.
Matsuyama noted, “Ms. Lauryn Hill’s voice gave language to a generation searching for itself, and to paint her is to trace the same lines of identity, memory, and reinvention that have always moved through my own work.”
Widely regarded as one of the leading contemporary painters of his generation, Matsuyama is known for creating complex, layered works that blend historical artistic traditions with influences from fashion, graphic design, street culture, and modern portraiture. His paintings have gained international recognition for exploring cultural intersections and reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of contemporary society.
The Foundation said the commissioned portrait is intended to serve as a lasting cultural asset rather than a temporary exhibition piece. Through future exhibitions, educational initiatives, and public programming, the work is expected to remain accessible to audiences long after its initial unveiling.
Foundation Aims to Create a Self-Sustaining Cycle of Cultural Investment
At the center of the Murmrr Arts Foundation’s strategy is a concept it calls “Renewable Cultural Philanthropy.” The organization was founded on the belief that culture can function as a renewable resource capable of generating ongoing public value.
Rather than treating philanthropy as a one-time contribution, the Foundation plans to commission significant artworks, preserve them within its collection, and reinvest proceeds generated through exhibitions, editions, and related initiatives into future projects and community programming.
Brian Kelly, Founder and Executive Chair of the Murmrr Arts Foundation, said, “Our mission is to put masterpieces where life happens — school cafeterias, prisons, neighborhood diners, public libraries — to bring great art into the everyday.”
As part of the Foundation’s launch activities, complimentary tickets are being offered to young people from Long Island through a partnership with the East Hampton Library. The initiative will allow students to attend both the unveiling of the portrait and Ms. Lauryn Hill’s performance, supporting the Foundation’s goal of expanding access to cultural experiences.
To further support its charitable mission, the Foundation will produce an edition of twenty prints of Matsuyama’s Murmrr Commission No. 001. Proceeds from the edition will help fund future commissions, educational programming, and public access initiatives. A portion of the proceeds will also be directed to a charitable organization selected by Ms. Lauryn Hill.
With the debut of its first commission, Murmrr Arts Foundation is positioning itself at the intersection of art, philanthropy, and public engagement, seeking to create a model in which cultural works continue generating both artistic and social value over time.
