The AIDS Memorial Quilt
Considered the largest community arts project in history, the AIDS Memorial Quilt helps us remember the unique lives and stories of those we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS.
Why is the Quilt important?
Today, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is the premiere symbol of the AIDS pandemic, a living memorial to a generation lost to AIDS and an important HIV prevention education tool. With hundreds of thousands of people contributing their talents to making the memorial panels, and tens of thousands of volunteers to help display it, the Quilt is considered the largest community arts project in history.
AIDS Quilt History
The Quilt was conceived in November of 1985 by long-time human rights activist, author and lecturer Cleve Jones. And in November 2019, the National AIDS Memorial became the permanent caretaker and steward of the Quilt, returning it to San Francisco, where its story began during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
AIDS Quilt Panels
Individuals and groups to honor, remember and celebrate the stories and lives of those ones lost to HIV/AIDS. Today, there are roughly 50,000 panels dedicated to more than 110,000 individuals in this epic 54-ton tapestry.
Search Names on the Quilt
Search the AIDS Memorial Quilt, view each panel, search for a friend or loved one and share your story through our social media channels.
Our community gathers twice a month for volunteer Panel Making and AIDS Quilt Repair Workshops in the Bay Area. Make a panel or help in the essential, ongoing maintenance and protection of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Join us and ensure that lives lost to HIV and AIDS are never forgotten!
Volunteer Opportunities
Share the Quilt's powerful stories of activism, love, healing, hope and remembrance to connect the story of HIV/AIDS to the important issues impacting our nation today.
Quilt Display Program
Surviving Voices: Untold Stories of the AIDS Memorial Quilt is a video series comprised of 19 interviews with lovers, friends, parents, and siblings of some of the 100,000 individuals who are commemorated by the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Their voices remind us, that while the fight against AIDS is not over, we are not alone in our struggle.
Surviving Voices
Help Us Continue to Share the Story of HIV/AIDS
Help the Quilt continue to be a living art project for healing, hope, remembrance, and education for another 40 years by donating to the National AIDS Memorial:
