Dasha Zhukova, Russian-American philanthropist, art collector and founder of the Garage Museum for Contemporary art in Moscow, has given the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) $1 million to establish a new artist residency program.

The Distinguished Visiting Artist Position will be an addition to the ongoing artist residency programs organized by MIT’s Center for Art, Science & Technology (CAST). This contribution is Zhukova’s first major gift to a university and first endowment to a visiting artist program. The residency program will be sustained through Zhukova’s support, which will begin in fall 2016 and will extend through June 2018.

“We are grateful for [Zhukova’s] vision and understanding of how to nurture the creative process of inspired artist in collaboration with the extraordinary talent in multiple disciplines at MIT,” said MIT professor and associate provost Philip S. Khoury.

Vik Muniz “Colony”

The Distinguished Visiting Artist Position is open to artists, architects and designers. The selected recipient will receive a one to two-year appointment to focus on research and development of a project created in collaboration with MIT’s faculty, students and researchers.

Zhukova credits her upbringing for her interest in the intersection of science, technology, art, and design; her mother is a microbiologist who loved classical art. “The fusion of these worlds is where the cutting edge, creativity and innovation takes place,” said Zhukova.

Vik Muniz “Sandcastles”

CAST started in 2012 and has since supported 31 artist residencies and collaborative projects with MIT students and faculty members. Artists who have worked with MIT include Olafur Eliasson, Mel Chin, and Vik Muniz, whose upcoming show at the High Museum in Atlanta will feature two works he created while at the residency program.