In June, we proudly announced the inaugural cohort of 15 Fellows – a group of visionary leaders of socially engaged arts organisations awarded a place in our Fellowship programme following a competitive selection process. With the Fellowship now underway, we are taking this moment to share some insights from the process.
We launched our open call for expressions of interest in January, inviting leaders of socially engaged arts organisations across the Council of Europe and Kosovo to apply. We were impressed by the overwhelmingly positive response. In total, we received 836 eligible applications from 39 countries. The breadth of geographies, organisational models and artistic approaches represented in the applications was remarkable, reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of this field of practice.
The applications showed that socially engaged arts thrive across every art form – sometimes focusing on a single method, but more often blurring boundaries between disciplines. They also highlighted the ways that socially engaged arts are uniquely positioned to tackle the most pressing challenges of our times – from homelessness and forced displacement to climate change and gender inequality – by breaking down silos and bringing together people, sectors and ideas in novel and unexpected ways.
These organisations also operate in highly diverse political and socioeconomic contexts. Some of those working in the most under-resourced or hostile environments were also those demonstrating the greatest resilience and long-term impact. Yet across differences, a strong sense of urgency and mutual commitment to social change echoed across all applications.
In the face of rising populism, increasing inequalities and the erosion of democratic institutions, applicants shared powerful examples of community-driven practices and methodologies to tackle complex societal challenges. They described concrete actions and bold commitments to resisting divisive narratives, building bridges in increasingly polarised contexts and reimagining community-led governance that place communities at the heart of decision-making. These practitioners are unwavering in their belief in the transformative power of the arts, continually imagining new ways of being and moving together.
The level of innovation and dedication that these socially engaged arts organisations have shown has been inspiring, offering a beacon of hope in these troubling times. The response to the Fellowship has signalled a powerful message: there is a formidable force of changemakers out there, cradling carefully dreamed up visions of futures abundant in hope, ready to light the way forward.
A more detailed analysis will follow early next year, as part of a research project we’ve commissioned to better understand the field. In the meantime, we hope these early reflections offer a glimpse into the richness and urgency of the work being done across the region.
(Image credit: Arts and Culture for a Socially Impactful Europe, January 2025, Carlos Porfirio)