Innovative fellowship program launches to support socially engaged arts
Throughout Europe, socially engaged arts organisations address some of the most pressing societal issues, including inequality, migration, and climate change. These organisations, artists, and cultural practitioners leverage the arts’ power to unite communities, ignite dialogue, and promote social change. Nevertheless, they continue to be undervalued, lacking adequate representation in policy, funding, and public recognition.
Last week in Lisbon, some of Europe’s leading arts philanthropic foundations announced the launch of the new Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts. The Alliance advocates for the transformative power of socially engaged arts to drive positive social change across Europe. By uniting and empowering organisations and practitioners with vital skills and resources, it strives for a future where community engagement and creative collaboration are central to the arts sector, advancing social innovation for everyone.
The first activity of the newly established Alliance is the launch of the fellowship program designed for leaders of arts organisations driven by community engagement and social change. Culture Action Europe (CAE) and partners Fitzcarraldo Foundation and The Audience Agency are thrilled to develop and offer the Fellowship program. This funded initiative offers a collaborative space for leaders of socially engaged arts organisations to strengthen their work, enhance individual fellows’s professional development, and drive impactful advocacy efforts throughout Europe.
“The discussion around Cultural Democracy must be elevated to a new level for the cultural sector to help transform Europe to be fairer, more inclusive, and boldly creative. Our involvement in delivering this fellowship is based on the firm belief that the key to this change is investment in people. We will make sure their voices are heard in the necessary policy debates,” said Lars Ebert, Secretary General of Culture Action Europe.
Natalie Giorgadze, General Director at CAE, went on to say, “The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship is a pivotal initiative designed to foster a network of socially engaged arts leaders across Europe. Central to the fellowship is supporting the fellows’ advocacy efforts, empowering them to drive meaningful change in politics and society. For Culture Action Europe, partnering with Fondazione Fitzcarraldo and The Audience Agency on this program provides an exciting opportunity to promote experimentation, multilayered leadership, and networked impact, amplifying the voices of cultural leaders who embrace collective intelligence and explore innovative, collaborative models of decision-making.”
This 18-month programme will support up to 15 leaders of arts organisations focused on community engagement and social change across Europe. Each fellow and their organisation will receive a €60,000 Euro grant, access to online workshops, mentorship and support to scale impact, as well as immersive residential experiences, study visits and exchanges.
Anne Torreggiani, CEO of the Audience Agency, said, “Through the Fellowship, we are working with visionary leaders and organisations at the forefront of socially engaged arts across Europe to take their work to the next level. This programme is a collaborative and supportive environment where leaders can grow, overcome challenges, share knowledge, and drive real, lasting change. By supporting their development, our three organisations are proud to help reimagine and shape a fairer, more inclusive, and boldly creative Europe.”
The fellowship is part of the broader Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts, a pioneering partnership of 11 leading European philanthropic foundations aimed at championing the power of socially engaged arts to drive meaningful social change across the continent. The Alliance seeks to overcome the undervaluation of socially engaged arts by shifting the narrative, advocating for increased funding, and fostering policy structures that enable this vital work to thrive. Through European advocacy and a new fellowship programme, the Alliance will unlock the potential of socially engaged arts to drive real social change.
Luís Jerónimo, Director of Sustainability and Equity at Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Chair of the Alliance said, “Socially engaged arts have long been a force for positive social change in Europe. Despite this, socially engaged arts organisations, artists and cultural practitioners remain undervalued. They struggle with inadequate funding and unsupportive policy structures, compounded by massive cuts to public funding, which hinders their impact to shape a more creative and connected Europe.”
Culture Action Europe is eager to announce that the fellowship is now open to applications until 24 February.