Fifteen leaders of socially engaged arts organisations across Europe join our inaugural Fellowship to strengthen their work and scale the impact of this field across the continent.
We are pleased to announce the first cohort of the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship, a programme designed to connect and support visionary leaders of arts organisations driven by community engagement and social change across Europe.
The 15 selected Fellows represent a wide range of artistic disciplines, geographies and social issues. Their organisations address urgent challenges like the climate crisis, homelessness and peacebuilding through participatory and co-creative arts approaches deeply anchored in their local communities. Their pioneering work spans arts-led legislative models, urban regeneration and community-centred governance models, and more – forging innovative pathways for social change through the arts.
We launched the Fellowship earlier this year with the aim of amplifying the impact of socially engaged arts by investing in the people and organisations driving this work forward. The programme will provide leaders with tailored resources, capacity-building and cross-border connections to strengthen their organisational models and collectively drive advocacy efforts to scale the impact and recognition of this field across Europe.
“The 15 Fellows demonstrate the extraordinary depth, relevance and innovation shaping socially engaged arts across Europe,” said Luís Jerónimo, Director at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Chair of the Alliance. “The breadth and quality of their proposals — and of the wider applicant pool — highlight both the strength of this field and the pressing need for greater support and recognition of the vital role the arts can play in addressing Europe’s most urgent social challenges.”
Over the next 18 months, the Fellows will embark on a collaborative learning journey rooted in action learning and peer exchange. The programme includes two international residentials, regular peer learning sessions, mentorship from sector leaders, mobility support, and bespoke organisational development.
Each Fellow’s organisation will also receive a €60,000 grant to support core costs and develop targeted actions to address a key challenge within their work – whether that’s expanding community reach, innovating participatory practices or increasing policy influence.
“We hope this Fellowship will give these pioneers the space and support to deepen their practice, build new alliances and shape a more connected and impactful future for socially engaged arts across borders,” said Daniela Nofal, Programme Manager for the Alliance. “I’m excited to accompany them on their journey over the next 18 months, to learn from their insights and to see the new heights their imagination, energy and courage can reach.”
The Fellows were selected from a pool of 892 candidates from across Europe. The scale and diversity of applicants speak to the vitality of socially engaged arts today – and to the demand for greater investment in this field.
Meet the Fellows
Alona Karavai
Curator & Cultural Manager, Asortymentna kimnata
Ukraine
An Vandermeulen
General and Artistic Director, Globe Aroma
Belgium
Andrej Nosov
Director, Heartefact
Serbia
Ceren Yartan
General Coordinator, Center for Spatial Justice (Mekanda Adalet Derneği)
Türkiye
Damien McGlynn
Director, Create
Ireland
Esteban Marín Pérez
President, Contorno Urbano Foundation
Spain
Jasmina Ibrahimovic
Creative Director, Rotterdams Wijktheater
The Netherlands
Lewis Coenen-Rowe
culture/SHIFT Manager, Culture for Climate Scotland
United Kingdom
Margaux Schwab
Founder and Director, foodculture days
Switzerland
Marta Silva
Artistic and Executive Director, Largo Residências
Portugal
Martin Yankov
Founder, The Collective Foundation
Bulgaria
Samra Said
Co-Director, Arts & Homelessness International
United Kingdom
Sophie Archereau
Administrative Director, L’âge de la tortue
France
Stefano Beghi
President, KARAKORUM srl Impresa Sociale
Italy
Zvonimir Dobrovic
President and Artistic Director, Domino
Croatia