‘Art is the Highest Form of Hope.’ Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Announces Fellows

In the face of ongoing crises, what does the right path look like for Europe?

While governments search for effective solutions, socially engaged arts practices can provide powerful tools to strengthen civic participation, bridge divides, and create lasting social impact. These initiatives go beyond arts and creativity: they build resilience, spark dialogue, and drive collective problem-solving within communities. As public funding priorities shift, sustaining and accelerating these efforts is more urgent than ever. These are the people and organisations creating spaces to unite communities and tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges. In times of crisis, as Gerhard Richter reminds us, ‘art is the highest form of hope’.

Following the open call for fellows – launched in January 2025 – the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts now announces their first fellows. Click the button to learn more.

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 real social change:

Allianz Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Cariplo Foundation, Compagnia di San Paolo, Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation, European Cultural Foundation, Hilti Foundation, King Baudouin Foundation, La Caixa Foundation, Moleskine Foundation and Stiftung Mercator Schweiz.