New York: Groups Launch Registry of Artists Who Have Died of AIDS

On World AIDS Day, the New York-based Alliance for the Arts' Estate Project for Artists with AIDS announced it is launching an Internet registry listing hundreds of actors, designers, writers and others who have died of AIDS. The purpose of the registry is to memorialize the lives and catalog the work of those listed.

"This is a window on the art of a whole generation of artists," said Alliance for the Arts President Randall Bourscheidt. "This is an attempt to let their art live on."

Alliance members searched obituaries, articles and academic research to develop the registry. They then contacted the artists' survivors, nearly all of whom agreed to allow their loved ones to be listed. When they declined, as was the case with some church organists, their wishes were respected, said Estate Project Director Brennan Gerard.

In addition, the organizers have created two online archives of dance and musical works by HIV-positive artists. These contain biographical sketches and a catalog of works available to researchers.

Twelve years ago, the Estate Project was founded to help artists with AIDS plan their estates and deal with other issues to preserve their works. The national registry and archives cost about $75,000 to produce. For more information, visit www.artistswithaids.org.

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