Agnes “Aggie” Gund, an influential philanthropist who saw the arts as a powerful way to combat social injustice and education inequity, died yesterday evening, September 18, at the age of 87 in her home in Manhattan. Her daughter, Catherine Gund, confirmed her death to the New York Times. A staunch social justice advocate and major art collector, Gund was known for her philanthropic endeavors that bolstered underrepresented artists and underserved communities. “I have always believed that every student has a fundamental right to quality art education,” Gund told Hyperallergic earlier this year, during a student exhibition organized by the Studio Institute, an affiliate of Studio in a School. Gund also served on the boards of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies, Morgan Library and Museum, Frick Collection, Andy Warhol Foundation, and Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, among many other cultural institutions.