our story
The Anne McKee Artists Fund
© Joanne Sloan
what we do
The Anne McKee Artists Fund (AMAF) was established in 1992 by its founder, Anne McKee, who recognized a pressing need to support individual artists in Key West. More than 30 years later, our nonprofit organization continues to support a diverse range of visual, literary, and performing artists whose creative contributions enrich the quality of life throughout the Florida Keys.
Each year, the Fund celebrates and supports these artists through our Grants and Fine Art Auction, recognizing the vitality they bring to our cultural community. AMAF’s support provides both tangible and intangible benefits to artists and strengthens the creative community throughout the Florida Keys.
“I started the Fund because of my love of the Arts. It is important we nurture our local artists while keeping the community attractive to creative people.”
© Silda Trevisan
artists helping artists
The AMAF is funded solely by artists. Each year, the Anne McKee Fine Art Auction features work by talented local artists from Key West and throughout the Florida Keys. Held each February, the Auction raises funds to support both participating artists and the AMAF, with each receiving 50% of the proceeds.
The AMAF’s share of the proceeds is used to fund the next round of Artist Grants, with grants of up to $2,000 awarded each spring to support artists throughout the Florida Keys.
When McKee first envisioned the Fund,
to provide project-based financial assistance to local artists,
she never imagined how successful it would become.
The Fund’s growth over the past 30 years has far surpassed her vision.
Since 1994 the AMAF Grant has awarded more than $425,000 to over 400 artists, writers and performers in the Florida Keys
© K Rose
tribute to artists
As well as the AMAF Auction and Grants, the Fund presents four different awards to local artists every year to honor outstanding achievements in the visual, literary and performance arts. The awards are named in memory of talented Key West artists who left behind a creative legacy, for the island and the Keys, and were life-long friends of the Fund - Jack Baron, Miriam B. Good, Richard Heyman and Adeline Turner.
meet Anne
Anne McKee
FOUNDER
“I never thought the Fund would enable artists to do so many big things”
Anne McKee was a Key West resident since 1971. Upon retirement she left her native Canada in search of ‘some place warm’. She met her husband, transplanted New Yorker, Ross McKee, soon after her arrival.
One of nine children, Anne is from a musical family that supported the arts and was actively involved with community fundraising. Her father was an architect and her ancestors were sea captains and builders. Traditions of the arts, the sea and community involvement run deep for Anne and her family. Her philanthropic roots have contributed four decades to keeping the arts community flourishing in Key West and the Florida Keys.
Anne was an active member of the Key West community,
and an avid supporter of the local arts, since her arrival over 45 years ago.
TIMELINE
1971-1974 - Member of Comprehensive Health Task Force
1972-1974 - Board Director of Key West By The Sea
1975-1980 - Director of Friends of Monroe Country Library
1975-1980 - State Lobbyist for Library Day for Key West Library
1982-1984 - Chairperson of Monroe County Fine Arts Council
1982-1989 - State Lobbyist for Arts Day for Art & Artists in the Keys
1983-2012 - Christmas concert Coordinator at St. Paul’s
1984-1986 - Member of Monroe County Fine Arts Council
1984-1986 - Member of Key West Cultural Commission
1987-1989 - Director of Key West Woman’s Club
1987-1989 - President of Retired Officer’s Club
1987-1989 - Director of Florida Cultural Alliance
1992 / Anne McKee Artist’s Fund of the Florida Keys established
1993 / Key West’s Woman of The Year in The Arts
Anne credits the performing artists for making the St Paul’s concerts such a success - it is these artists who were her inspiration for creating the Anne McKee Artists Fund as a way to give back to the creative community that gives so much of themselves. Since the Fund was established, Anne, and her dedicated team of passionate Board Members over the years, have made the AMAF what it is today.
video by White Orchid Studios
“They are artists helping other artists who haven’t been recognised like they have.”