Arts Collaboratory is a programme for the support of visual art initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It provides financial support, facilitates knowledge sharing, and promotes networking and artistic exchange. It was established in January 2007 by Hivos and DOEN Foundation. These two Dutch organisations joined forces (pooling resources, knowledge and networks) in Arts Collaboratory to achieve greater effectiveness, efficiency and synergies.

In 2011, an external evaluation of the programme took place. Based on the outcomes and recommendations of this exercise as well as on new insights and policies of our respective organisations Hivos and DOEN, the programme of Arts Collaboratory has been re-designed and adapted. The mission of Arts Collaboratory is to promote sustainable, collaborative and open visual arts practicesthat contribute to social innovation For the period 2013 to 2015 the objectives of the Arts Collaboratory programme will be:

  • The improvement of the quality of artistic expression and collaborative art practices through independent (visual) arts organisations;
  • The promotion of the development of social innovation and of new forms of engagement with publics through independent visual arts organizations.

The mission and vision of Arts Collaboratory are based on the idea that culture can potentially be a driving force or trigger in processes of social innovation. This type of innovation aims at challenging and changing the social interaction of people, and their interaction to their environment

Funding opportunities

Funding opportunities for visual art initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America can be either one-time small scale support up to € 15.000 from the so called Project Funder, or larger proposals involving more funds and lasting up to two or three years.

The latter fund will involve 10 to 15 ‘core’ partners and will be regulated by a Call for Proposals. For more information, please check our funding opportunities.
As to the Project Fund: further information will be available on our website on March 15th, 2013.

The Arts Collaboratory Steering Committee is responsible for decision taking on and monitoring and evaluation of the programme. It is comprised of representatives of Hivos and DOEN Foundation.

The Arts Collaboratory Advisory Committee comprises representatives of the ‘core’ partners in the programme.