Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts: Meet the 2025 fellows

The Allianz Foundation is co-founder of the newly launched Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts. We are an alliance of some of Europe’s leading arts philanthropic foundations, uniting substantial resources, and building a collaborative network. Together, we provide support and a connected voice to help socially engaged arts to thrive.

June 16, 2025

Project description

Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts

The Alliance is a partnership between 11 philanthropic foundations from across Europe, hosted by the Network of European Foundations. Each foundation is part of the Steering Committee, chaired by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, helping set the strategic direction of our work. They actively contribute with their own expertise, resources and connections to achieve greater collective impact.
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. More information.

The Alliance.

The Challenge.
Arts and culture are a powerful force for positive change, with the ability to shift perspectives, promote inclusivity and inspire action. Across Europe, arts organisations are harnessing this power to address pressing societal issues, stepping up as active social convenors to build fairer, more resilient communities. Yet too often, these organisations are undervalued in increasingly challenging environments, receiving insufficient recognition in policy and funding. These complex conditions stifle their power to drive societal impact and to shape a more creative and connected Europe.

Our vision.
Socially engaged arts are celebrated for their creative power and ability to drive social change, with widespread recognition and support across Europe.

Our mission.
Connect. Create. Change.

We exist to connect and elevate visionary leaders and organisations in socially engaged arts across Europe, transforming public and policy awareness and securing vital recognition and funding to accelerate their impact.

The first cohort of the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship 2025

Fifteen outstanding leaders, representing diverse artistic practices and social issues, are embarking on an 18-month journey to deepen their impact and strengthen connections across Europe. The Fellows are tackling challenges like the climate crisis, homelessness and peacebuilding through community-rooted, participatory approaches. The program is about spotlighting the bold, creative solutions emerging from the arts sector to strengthen communities across Europe.

The Fellowship provides funding, tailored organisational development and opportunities for collaboration to help them scale their work and its impact. Each Fellow’s organization will also receive a €60,000 grant to support core costs and develop targeted actions to address a key challenge within their work – whether that’s expanding community reach, innovating participatory practices or increasing policy influence.