Mission

Autotelic Foundation champions creation and debate at the nexus of art and technology. We support ambitious work by established and emerging voices, through new commissions, institutional partnerships, publishing, and education. With a focus on interdisciplinary practice and global networks, AF explores current and future potentials of our knowledge society.

The word ‘autotelic’ describes something that has an end, purpose, or meaning in itself. This reflects Autotelic Foundation’s purpose to facilitate and promote pioneering creative work for its own inherent value. The work that we platform is meaningful; it helps us to understand, utilize and challenge emerging technologies, without employing such technologies for any specific purpose. As a charity, we are not driven by profit, but rather to champion the creative potential of technology.

Autotelic Foundation is a CIO, Charity No. 1193612. Registered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

HISTORY

The organisation launched in 2021 (under the previous name Blessed Foundation) as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), working at the intersection of art, design and emerging technologies. Bringing innovators from these respective fields together was a major reason behind the organisation’s creation. Our founder saw a need for greater inter-disciplinary collaboration as well as support for ambitious work, to generate the cutting-edge artwork of today’s digital world.

Relaunching as Autotelic Foundation reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to the principles that have always guided it and reflects the desire to realise an expanded vision and ambition. The word ‘autotelic’ highlights the Foundation’s promotion of creative work for its own inherent value, a core principle of the organisation since its founding. The name Autotelic Foundation is also a reflection of its connection to Autotelic Council.