Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Launched

ELIA members may find this important collaborative initiative of 11 foundations relevant to them. ELIA Executive Director Maria Hansen attended the launch event in Lisbon at the Gulbenkian Foundation yesterday, where partners and stakeholders met to jointly champion the role of socially engaged arts across Europe. Read more about The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts and the Fellowships' call for applications below.

Launched: Lisbon, Portugal, 23 January 2025  

A pioneering alliance of 11 leading European philanthropic foundations has been launched today 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: 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. 

This powerful initiative seeks to provide essential backing and a collective voice for socially engaged arts to flourish. Socially engaged arts bring together artists and communities to address pressing social, political, and cultural challenges through art. By centring 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 organisations, 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, 23 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 https://allianceforsociallyengagedarts.org/.


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.