Socially engaged arts organisations place social change and community engagement at the heart of their mission. Whether through visual arts, theatre, music, or other arts forms, they champion the power of the arts and creativity to address societal issues, foster inclusion, and create positive change. These organisations prioritise long-term, collaborative relationships with communities, developing participatory and co-creative artistic programmes that empower local people to shape the work, with the majority of their activities focussed on socially engaged arts.

For example, this could include a neighbourhood arts organisation dedicated to developing creative programmes that engage local residents in reimagining the role of public services, fostering stronger relationships and building a more inclusive community. It might be a theatre company that co-creates productions with newly arrived communities to support integration and deepen a sense of belonging. These organisations prioritise social change and community engagement through artistic approaches.

Leaders are individuals in senior positions within their organisations who can influence decisions and drive meaningful change. These roles may include CEO, Director, or Head of Department. Leaders are responsible for guiding their teams, shaping strategies and advancing their organisation’s mission.

The Fellowship supports individual leaders of socially engaged arts organisations in developing their skills, confidence, and impact while driving meaningful change within their organisations. Fellows engage in activities designed to strengthen both personal and organisational growth, all in alignment with their organisation’s mission and the broader goals of socially engaged arts. The grant is awarded to the organisation, ensuring that the impact reaches beyond the individual and creates lasting change.

The ‘leading question’ refers to an issue, opportunity or project that you will address during the Fellowship, whether at an organisational or sector-wide level. It should be connected to your organisation’s mission and align with the wider goal of creating social impact through the arts. Your ‘leading question’ forms the basis for your self-led work and advocacy efforts, and during the Fellowship, you will develop actions or projects to address it, with support from the programme team to implement concrete plans.

Yes. As all sessions and training are conducted in English, a strong understanding of the language is essential.

The application process consists of three complimentary stages, which include:

• Stage 1 – Expression of Interest: During the first stage of the application process, applicants submit a concise Expression of Interest.
• Stage 2 – Submission of full application: Candidates who are longlisted will be invited to submit a full application, providing more in-depth detail about their experience.
• Stage 3 – Interview: For the final stage in the process, shortlisted candidates are invited to attend a final interview with the selection jury. Following the interviews, candidates will be notified of the final decision and outcome of their application.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee with the Alliance’s programme staff, representatives from the partner foundations and external jury members. Eligible applications will be assessed by at least two individual jury members against specific selection criteria.

For more information, see the full application guidelines.

The Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to focus on your personal growth and organisational development while building meaningful connections with peers across Europe. You will embark on a transformative journey to reflect on the complex challenges faced by socially engaged arts organisations and explore the changes needed within your communities and beyond.

Through online workshops, self-paced learning, mentoring, in-person residentials, travel visits, and more, the Fellowship creates a dynamic and supportive learning environment. This space will empower you to define your leadership goals and ‘leading question’, while taking tangible steps toward achieving them.

Your organisation will also receive support to enhance your ability to communicate impact and influence key stakeholders. With a focus on advocacy, the Fellowship will equip you with the skills and insights necessary to serve as ambassadors for socially engaged arts. You will engage with stakeholders, participate in policy discussions, and advocate for the social value of the arts, becoming ambassadors for socially engaged arts in Europe.

Fellows receive two grants to support the development of their work.

The first grant of €30,000, agreed on at the start of the programme, will go towards organisational development and core costs. Each organisation will have different needs and we are not prescriptive at this stage, but expect the grant to enable the organisation to continue delivering or scale its impact while the Fellow participates in the programme.

The second grant of €30,000 will support the Fellow and their organisation in developing actions to address the ‘leading question’ they will bring to the Fellowship. Fellows will be supported to develop specific plans for this grant during the first half of the programme.

This is a rare chance to focus on your leadership, transform your approach, and build lasting connections with peers across Europe. Running from June 2025 to November 2026, the Fellowship requires a commitment of approximately 20 hours per month, plus attendance at two in-person residentials. While it requires a significant time commitment, the programme is designed to be flexible and self-led, allowing you to adapt your involvement around your work and personal responsibilities.

The Fellowship provides financial support for the Fellow and their organisation to engage fully in the Fellowship. Half of the €60,000 grant can support some core costs to sustain or scale the operations of your organisation during your participation.

If you’re not able to fully commit to the Fellowship at this time, we encourage you to apply when your schedule allows you to engage meaningfully. This Fellowship is for those ready to dedicate time to their growth and leadership journey.

The transformative impact of the Fellowship will be felt across three interconnected levels:

• Individual Level: You, as a fellow, are at the heart of this programme with the knowledge, confidence and skills to address complex challenges within your organisation and wider context, setting the foundation for broader transformation.
• Organisational Level: Your learning and insights will directly inform your organisation’s strategies, addressing specific needs, structural gaps, or future aspirations. By translating your development into organisational capacity-building, you’ll strengthen your organisation’s ability to champion socially engaged arts and communicate its value effectively.
• Collective Level: The Fellowship brings together voices from across Europe to foster a unified movement. Your individual and organisational transformations will contribute to a collective effort to drive systemic change, reshape narratives, and advocate for the arts at local, national, and European levels. Together, the Fellows will explore shared challenges, amplify the sector’s voice, and chart a course for sustainable change.