about The Fund

Who We Are

The Fund for Arts and Culture in Central and Eastern Europe is a non-profit organization founded in 1991. We provide assistance upon request and without compensation to selected arts and cultural institutions in Central and Eastern Europe to support their efforts to adjust to a free market economy. The Fund does not give outright grants nor support individual artists.

Mission Statement

Arts and culture are vital components of local, regional and global economies. The Fund for Arts and Culture in Central and Eastern Europe advances arts and cultural organizations by helping them develop their skills and by sharing best practices to take advantage of changing societal environments.

The Fund’s Operations

Founded in 1991, The Fund began working in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia (later the Czech Republic). It’s work expanded to the three Baltic countries, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and later Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia. In 2004, other Balkan nations were included, Romania, Serbia/ Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia/Herzegovina, and Croatia. In 2006 Mongolia was included, and in 2007, Armenia and Slovakia.

The Fund provides assistance to selected major arts and cultural institutions to assist in their adjustment to a free market economy. Our senior consulting experts serve pro bono and share their expertise in administration, management, governance, planning, public relations, marketing and fundraising with visual and performing arts organizations.  We believe that promoting healthy, vibrant and welcoming institutions of art and culture strengthens civil society.

The Fund is a nonprofit U.S. corporation governed by thirteen officers and a board. There are no paid full-time staff members. Officers and consultants who represent The Fund do so without compensation.

Typically, The Fund’s activities in a country develop through the following process:

• After formal invitation by a principal of a cultural institution, a ministry of culture, or the U.S. Embassy, a Fund director makes an initial visit to the country involved. This visit establishes contacts with government representatives (e.g., the Ministry of Culture, Mayor’s office, etc.), administrators and directors of local major arts and cultural institutions and other thought-leaders in or from the country; U.S. government representatives (e.g. the U.S. Embassy, consultates, etc.); and local executives of NGOs. An informal survey of needs for assistance by arts and cultural organizations is undertaken. Realistic Fund objectives for meeting the needs are established.

• Experts willing to provide the assistance needed are recruited. In cooperation with the requesting institution, consultants for The Fund work on-site to help develop plans and programs in their areas of expertise. They participate in roundtable discussions, seminars, and breakout workshops, provide training courses and/or give lectures or individual consultations. Continuing contact between the institution and The Fund’s consultant(s) is maintained through email communication and return visits where indicated.

• Ongoing assessments of progress guide further initiatives by The Fund.

Restrictions

The Fund receives many requests for assistance that are not within the purview of its mission. The Fund does not give outright grants nor does it support individual artists. Generally, it does not assist start-up institutions, nor does it involve itself with the preservation and restoration of buildings or the programs of educational institutions.

You may email The Fund at: secretary@fundforartsandculture.org