European Arts Leaders Selected for New Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship

The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts today announces the appointment of 15 inaugural Fellows to its new Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship. The Fellowship, backed by 11 leading philanthropic foundations, supports pioneers in the arts sector, and raises the visibility and recognition of socially engaged arts in Europe.

In Spain, Esteban Marín Pérez, from the Fundación Contorno Urbano, in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona), has been chosen for his approach from an ecological perspective in cultural and artistic projects aimed at creating new imaginaries and shared cultural identities, more intercultural neighborhoods, and sustainable cities.

Across Europe, societies face profound and interconnected challenges: from democratic backsliding to growing inequality, polarisation and the climate crisis. In response, socially engaged arts are emerging as a powerful yet under-recognised force for civic renewal and social change.

Socially engaged arts are collaborative practices where artists and communities co-create arts-based responses to urgent societal challenges. These practices reframe culture as a tool for active citizenship - strengthening participation, community ownership and democratic resilience. Whether through citizen-led climate action, participatory theatre, and culture-led urban regeneration, they exemplify what it means to harness the power of the arts to drive meaningful and sustainable change.

The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship will support leaders of organisations rooted in local communities across 14 countries in Europe. It recognises them as advocates for change and calls on institutions, funders, and policymakers to see socially engaged arts as a model of resilience and response.

Luís Jerónimo, Chair of the Alliance, said: “These Fellows are transforming arts and culture from the ground up. Deeply rooted in their communities, they are showing how socially engaged arts can advance justice, strengthen connections, and drive cultural democracy. In an era of mounting crisis and division, their work is a powerful call for Europe to invest in the arts as a force for change.”

In the UK, Samra Said of Arts & Homelessness International frames theatre not only as a space for storytelling but also as a driver of policy change. Through programmes like Legislative Theatre, she co-develops local public policy strategies with people with lived experience of homelessness, embedding creativity, dignity, and lived expertise into the heart of public decision-making.

In Belgium, An Vandermeulen leads Globe Aroma, a vibrant cultural space that centres artists in exile and supports those facing barriers due to precarious citizenship. Through co-creation and a model of shared authorship, the organisation fosters community and hospitality in partnership with the education and migration sectors. In a Europe where migration is heavily politicised, Globe Aroma moves beyond tokenism and ensures that displaced artists are not just included, but are shaping the future of the arts.

In Ukraine, Alona Karavai runs Asortymentna Kimnata, an experimental contemporary art space fostering connection, healing, and future-building . Based in Ivano-Frankivsk, it supports feminist, LGBTQ+, and youth voices with exhibitions, residencies, and inclusive education. Amid the war and deep-rooted stigma against non-traditional identities, the organisation builds resilience and decentralises culture through bold artistic experimentation.

Together, the cohort of Fellows will embark on a transformative 18-month journey designed to scale the impact of their organisations, unlock their potential as advocates for change and forge new transnational alliances.

Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts

The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts brings together leading European philanthropic foundations to 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, the Alliance works towards a Europe where community engagement and creative collaboration sit at the heart of the arts sector, fostering social progress for all. The Alliance is hosted by the Network of European Foundations.

Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship

The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship is designed for visionary leaders of arts organisations who are driven by community engagement and social change to create greater impact within their local communities and the European arts sector. The programme includes residentials, bespoked organisational development and leadership training, and offers a €60,000 grant to support core costs and develop targeted actions within their organisations.

The Fellowship is a programme designed and implemented in collaboration with The Audience Agency, Culture Action Europe, and Fitzcarraldo Foundation.