the art of AIDS

Amy Sadao and Nelson Santos

Between 2002 and 2012, Amy Sadao served as the Executive Director of Visual AIDS, a New York City-based organization utilizing art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists and preserving their legacy. Visual AIDS is the only contemporary arts organization fully committed to HIV prevention and AIDS awareness through producing and presenting visual art projects, while assisting artists living with HIV/AIDS. It is dedicated to preserving and honouring the work of artists living with HIV/AIDS and the artistic contributions of the AIDS movement.
 
Amy previously worked with art and community organizations including The Whitney Museum of American Art, Art in General, the Downtown Arts Festival, Applied Research Center, and the Beatrice Bain Research Center on Women, Gender & Sexuality. She is now the Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia. Amy holds an MA from U.C. Berkeley's Comparative Ethnic Studies Program and a BFA from Cooper Union.

Nelson Santos is an artist, self-identified cultural vagabond and at the time of his interview was Associate Director of Visual AIDS. He is now the Executive Director of the organisation. Nelson lives and works in New York City.