Socially Engaged Arts: 15 European Leaders Selected for a Fellowship
A new European fellowship celebrates 15 visionary leaders of arts organisations who place social impact at the heart of their work, both in their local communities and across the European arts sector. Among the selected fellows is Belgian cultural leader An Vandermeulen, director of Globe Aroma, a Brussels-based cultural space dedicated to artists in exile. Launched by the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts and backed by 11 major philanthropic foundations, including the King Baudouin Foundation, the fellowship aims to support trailblazers in a rapidly evolving arts sector and to elevate the visibility of socially engaged arts as powerful drivers of social transformation.
Across Europe, societies are facing profound and interconnected challenges: democratic backsliding, climate emergency, rising inequalities and polarisation. In this context, socially engaged arts are emerging as a powerful yet still undervalued force for civic renewal and creative problem-solving led by communities.
These artistic practices are rooted in deep collaboration between artists and communities, co-creating artistic responses to urgent societal challenges. From grassroots climate initiatives and participatory theatre to culture-led urban regeneration, these approaches reaffirm the role of the arts as tools for active citizenship, social cohesion and democratic resilience.
An ambitious programme for changemakers
At the beginning of 2025, the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts announced the launch of a fellowship programme aimed at supporting 15 leaders of European arts organisations rooted in their local communities and committed to social change. The 15 selected leaders come from 14 European countries. Among them are:
• An Vandermeulen (Belgium), director of Globe Aroma, a vibrant cultural space in Brussels supporting artists in exile. Through co-creation and hospitality, the organisation partners with the education and migration sectors to ensure that displaced artists not only participate in the arts sector—but help shape its future.
• Damien McGlynn (Ireland), leads the overall management and strategic direction of Create, Ireland’s national development agency for collaborative arts. Create supports the co-creation of powerful, community-based art by offering professional development, mentoring, training, and project opportunities to artists working in social contexts.
• Samra Said (UK), of Arts & Homelessness International, who uses theatre as a catalyst for political change. Through initiatives like Legislative Theatre, she co-develops local public policy alongside people with lived experience of homelessness.
• Lewis Coenen-Rowe (Scotland), leads programmes at Culture for Climate Scotland that use creative methods to help non-arts organisations address systemic climate justice. The organisation empowers sustainability professionals to integrate cultural approaches into their work and supports the cultural sector in reducing its environmental impact and inspiring broader change.
Lasting 18 months, the fellowship programme includes residential experiences, personalised support in leadership and organisational development, as well as a €60,000 grant to cover operational costs and develop targeted initiatives. Beyond supporting the fellows, the programme aims to strengthen the impact of their organisations, enhance their roles as ambassadors for change, and foster new transnational alliances.
Luís Jerónimo, Chair of the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts, 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.”
About the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts
The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts brings together 11 leading European philanthropic foundations, including the King Baudouin Foundation, 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.