Key Development Milestones:
2016 – The Idea of Creating the Foundation:
The concept of establishing the foundation was born in 2016.
2017 – A Focus on Developing the Contemporary Cultural Scene:
A course was set to develop the contemporary cultural scene in Georgia and promote it on the international stage.
2018 – Foundation and First Steps:
The Foundation was established and registered in 2018.
Efforts began to establish connections with local educational and cultural institutions, including the Free Academy and the Academy of Art.
The first workshops were held in collaboration with major Georgian cultural institutions, focusing on students and young professionals. The first local residencies for emerging artists were organized.
Efforts began to establish connections with local educational and cultural institutions, including the Free Academy and the Academy of Art.
The first workshops were held in collaboration with major Georgian cultural institutions, focusing on students and young professionals. The first local residencies for emerging artists were organized.
2019 – Developing a Global Strategy:
The Foundation developed a global strategy, focusing on expanding its influence beyond Georgia and creating a sustainable international platform.
The goals included creating opportunities for Georgian artists on the international stage, expanding the geography of Georgian art, strengthening international cultural cooperation, and fostering cross-cultural exchange.
Work began on international partnerships with cultural institutions, curators, and art centers from the Caucasus and Europe, opening new opportunities for collaboration and helping Georgian artists reach the international arena.
Local residencies and institutional workshops continued, while relationships with local cultural institutions were strengthened.
The goals included creating opportunities for Georgian artists on the international stage, expanding the geography of Georgian art, strengthening international cultural cooperation, and fostering cross-cultural exchange.
Work began on international partnerships with cultural institutions, curators, and art centers from the Caucasus and Europe, opening new opportunities for collaboration and helping Georgian artists reach the international arena.
Local residencies and institutional workshops continued, while relationships with local cultural institutions were strengthened.
2020 – Responding to Global Challenges:
Work began on creating a cultural space in Kakheti, designed for workshops, residencies, and exhibitions. This marked the inception of ideas for preserving the contemporary heritage of Georgian culture, including the creation of a Sculpture Park and a storage space for artists' works and archives.
Online auctions were introduced, becoming an important source of funding and support during the pandemic.
The Foundation launched its first grants to support Georgian artists isolated due to the pandemic.
Educational workshops fully transitioned to an online format, allowing for a larger number of participants.
Special attention was given to establishing connections with cultural institutions in the Caucasus, Europe, and Asia, as well as building relationships with partners to develop ideas for joint cross-border projects.
Online auctions were introduced, becoming an important source of funding and support during the pandemic.
The Foundation launched its first grants to support Georgian artists isolated due to the pandemic.
Educational workshops fully transitioned to an online format, allowing for a larger number of participants.
Special attention was given to establishing connections with cultural institutions in the Caucasus, Europe, and Asia, as well as building relationships with partners to develop ideas for joint cross-border projects.
2021 – Strengthening International Cooperation:
Exhibitions, including public art in Tbilisi, began to be organized. The first project featured installations on Petriashvili Street.
The Sculpture Park was launched and began receiving its first artworks.
Cultural space and storage facilities in Kakheti were completed, and the first residencies supporting Georgian artists during the pandemic were held in the Foundation’s new space.
Online auctions continued to grow, and private offline auctions and the RIA BID program were launched, which today operates as a full-fledged platform.
The AIR program was developed, and international partnerships for this residency program were established.
The Sculpture Park was launched and began receiving its first artworks.
Cultural space and storage facilities in Kakheti were completed, and the first residencies supporting Georgian artists during the pandemic were held in the Foundation’s new space.
Online auctions continued to grow, and private offline auctions and the RIA BID program were launched, which today operates as a full-fledged platform.
The AIR program was developed, and international partnerships for this residency program were established.
2022 – Launch of "Art in Exile / At-Risk" Programs:
With the onset of war in February 2022 and mass migration to Georgia, the Foundation rapidly adapted to wartime conditions.
By April, residency programs for Ukrainian artists who had been forced to leave their homeland were launched. These programs helped artists adapt to conditions conducive to creative activity, continue their work, and integrate into the local cultural environment.
A network of solidarity and mutual support was established.
By April, residency programs for Ukrainian artists who had been forced to leave their homeland were launched. These programs helped artists adapt to conditions conducive to creative activity, continue their work, and integrate into the local cultural environment.
A network of solidarity and mutual support was established.
2023 – Expanding Programs and International Influence:
The Artist in Exile and Artist At-Risk programs expanded to support vulnerable and underrepresented groups of artists affected by political, social, or military circumstances, including refugees from Ukraine, LGBTQ+ community members, and migrants from countries lacking freedom of expression.
The programs aimed to promote inclusion, support social resilience, and advocate for social justice, while also protecting and promoting these artists.
An international cultural exchange program was launched, along with the first international AIR residency.
Regular charitable auctions, including gala events, were organized to raise funds for social and humanitarian initiatives.
Online international workshops and offline workshops for local artists were held.
Partnerships with international foundations, cultural institutions, and universities were strengthened.
Exhibitions of Georgian artists were organized.
The programs aimed to promote inclusion, support social resilience, and advocate for social justice, while also protecting and promoting these artists.
An international cultural exchange program was launched, along with the first international AIR residency.
Regular charitable auctions, including gala events, were organized to raise funds for social and humanitarian initiatives.
Online international workshops and offline workshops for local artists were held.
Partnerships with international foundations, cultural institutions, and universities were strengthened.
Exhibitions of Georgian artists were organized.
2024 – Continued Growth:
Charitable auctions were organized for projects such as Patch Adams Laughter Therapy, which combine art and social impact.
The first international workshop at the Kakheti residency was held, featuring artist Katsura Kan. A-I-R residencies were conducted in Portugal, Egypt, and France, along with an exchange program with Austria and Latvia.
Mobility grants were introduced for Georgian artists to participate in international projects, festivals, and residencies.
Support programs for vulnerable and underrepresented artists continued.
The Sculpture Park was further developed, and regular exhibitions were held.
The first international workshop at the Kakheti residency was held, featuring artist Katsura Kan. A-I-R residencies were conducted in Portugal, Egypt, and France, along with an exchange program with Austria and Latvia.
Mobility grants were introduced for Georgian artists to participate in international projects, festivals, and residencies.
Support programs for vulnerable and underrepresented artists continued.
The Sculpture Park was further developed, and regular exhibitions were held.