Eleven leading European foundations, including the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation and the ”la Caixa” Foundation, are creating the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts, a pioneering programme to support arts committed to social change and citizen participation across Europe.
A pioneering alliance of 11 leading European philanthropic foundations, including the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation and the ”la Caixa” Foundation, has been launched this Thursday to champion the transformative power of socially engaged arts in driving positive social change across Europe.
The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts brings together 11 of Europe’s leading philanthropic funders to pool their resources, create a unified support network and amplify advocacy efforts to unlock the potential of socially engaged arts in driving social real change.
The foundation partners involved are:
- AllianzFoundation
- Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian
- Fondazione Cariplo
- Compagnia di San Paolo
- Fundación Daniel y Nina Carasso
- European Cultural Foundation
- Hilti Foundation
- King Baudouin Foundation
- ”la Caixa” Foundation
- Moleskine Foundation
- Stiftung Mercator Schweiz
This powerful initiative seeks to provide essential backing and a collective voice for socially engaged arts to bring together artists and communities to address pressing social, political, and cultural challenges through art. By centering communities and their needs in artistic processes, these arts can empower individuals, foster dialogue and shift societal perceptions, ultimately inspiring action on the critical issues those communities face.
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 organistations, 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.”
Recent reports from the arts and culture sector reflect this, with countries like Germany, France, and the UK showing evidence of this concerning trend. These cuts, combined with the ongoing challenge of securing dedicated support for socially engaged arts—already under-resourced—have placed further strain on many organisations, leaving them without the resources needed to thrive. Often misunderstood by those who might view social impact as separate from artistic value, these practitioners are further isolated in a fractured sector, with incredible work happening in silos across the continent.
“That’s why eleven of Europe’s leading philanthropic funders are joining forces to change this. The Alliance will connect socially engaged arts leaders and organisations across borders, expand much-needed support to scale their impact, and create a powerful platform for pan-European advocacy. Together, we’ll demonstrate that collective action can turn up the volume and deliver lasting, transformative change for communities across the continent.” Jerónimo added.
At its launch event in Lisbon today, 23rd January, the Alliance also announced its inaugural fellowship. This 18-month programme will support up to 15 visionary 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.
- Online workshops, mentorship and support to scale impact.
- Immersive residential experiences, study visits and exchanges.
The fellowship's goal is to provide a collaborative space for socially engaged arts organisations to strengthen their work, enhance individual fellows' professional development, and drive impactful advocacy efforts throughout Europe.
The fellowship is the result of a partnership with Culture Action Europe, Fitzcarraldo Foundation and The Audience Agency, experts in capacity-building and advocacy in the arts sector.
Anne Torreggiani, CEO of the Audience Agency, on behalf of the partnership with Culture Action Europe and Fitzcarraldo Foundation 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 open to applications from 23 January to 24 February, to apply please visit the Alliance website.
About the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation
The Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation works to transform the current model of society into one that is more ecological, inclusive and that allows for full development. It is committed to two major areas: on the one hand, sustainable food, to achieve universal access to healthy food that is respectful of people and ecosystems; and on the other hand, civic art, to support the development of a critical spirit and the reinforcement of social cohesion. It supports projects in France and Spain, mobilising economic and human resources, as well as developing its own actions to this end.
About the ”la Caixa” Foundation
The ”la Caixa” Foundation is a philanthropic entity dedicated especially to carrying out projects with vulnerable people, as well as to social, scientific, educational and cultural initiatives to contribute to a society that gives more opportunities to those who need them most.
For 2024, the ”la Caixa” Foundation has a record budget of 600 million euros, the highest in its history and 12% higher than the 538 million in 2023. Over the past 15 years, the Foundation has allocated almost 7 billion euros to social, scientific, educational and cultural initiatives to contribute to a society that provides more opportunities to those who need them most. This makes it the leading foundation in Spain, the second in Europe and one of the most important in the world in terms of volume of assets managed and social investment.
About the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts
At the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts, we champion the power of socially engaged arts in driving positive social change across Europe. By connecting and elevating organisations and practitioners, and providing them with essential skills and resources, we’re working towards a Europe where community engagement and creative collaboration sit at the heart of the arts sector, fostering social progress for all.
We are an alliance of some of Europe’s leading arts philanthropic foundations and are hosted at the Network of European Foundations.