Introducing BAI Social (BAI’s Nonprofit Initiative)
Launched in 2024 by the Berlin Art Institute, BAI Social is a nonprofit arm dedicated to supporting artists in times of crisis. Its mission is clear and compassionate: to uplift creators and artists who are facing distress due to war, political instability, persecution, or discrimination—including refugees, displaced people, people with disabilities, and those marginalized because of their race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
In essence, BAI Social stands for artistic freedom and human solidarity, ensuring that talented voices aren’t silenced by conflict or injustice.
Importantly, BAI Social offers funded residencies for artists in need. While the core BAI Studio Program is tuition-based, BAI Social covers the participation fee for free.
BAI social offeres spaces, resources and mentorship, so that selected artists can pursue their practice in a safe and secure environment.
BAI Social: How it began!
Over time, Berlin Art Institute received a growing number of inquiries from artists around the world—artists facing difficult circumstances, from displacement and discrimination to challenges that disrupted their ability to continue creating.
Their requests shared a common thread: a need for support, space, and an environment where they could safely pursue their artistic practice. Recognizing this need, we felt a responsibility to act. In 2024, we established BAI Social, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to providing opportunities for artists navigating adversity.
This mission took form when war broke out in Ukraine. Understanding the urgent need, we opened our doors to Ukrainian artists seeking refuge and continuity for their work. BAI Social provided a space where these artists could continue developing their practice, engage with peers, and share their voices despite the challenges they faced.
Today, BAI Social continues this work—not only for artists affected by war or political conflict, but for anyone who needs a safe and supportive environment to create. Whether an artist’s work reflects social issues, personal stories, or purely creative exploration, our commitment remains the same: to provide the resources, space, and community that allow artistic voices to grow and be heard. We believe every artist deserves the opportunity to continue their practice, no matter the challenges they face.
Ukrainian Artists Supported by BAI Social.
One of our initial focus was to support Ukrainian artists who have sought refuge and creative community in Berlin. Meet three artists who recently benefited from BAI Social residencies, each bringing their unique voice and vision to our institute:
Oksana Metka
Oksana Metka is our current BAI Social resident in Berlin. She received her bachelor’s degree with honours from the Lviv National Academy of Arts, specializing in monumental painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Restoration (2015-2019). Since 2021, Oksana Metka has been actively participating in exhibitions, festivals and cultural projects in Germany. She is a painter deeply inspired by the essence of nature and the fleeting moments of life.
Mariia Lutsak
Mariia Lutsak is a Ukrainian artist. She was born in 1997 into a family of artists in Kiev and graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture (2018). She has been participating in art exhibitions since 2014. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Maria moved to Berlin. Her works are a reflection on the theme of war.
Sofiia Holubeva
Sofiia Holubeva was born in Odesa. She studied at the Kyiv Academy of Media Arts (Contemporary Art). She also studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv (Fine Arts) and the Odesa Art College of Grekov (Fine Arts).
Holubeva currently lives and works in Berlin. Holubeva explores the social, psychological, and political aspects of today’s human existence. She focuses on issues of truth and responsibility. Her work also addresses subjective and objective matters. Sofia’s work is a deep self-reflection and research on human behavior.
In addition to the artists supported through BAI Social since 2024, Berlin Art Institute previously welcomed Ukrainian artists Nikita Kadan and Olia Fedorova in 2019 through a partnership with the Ukrainian Institute’s EXTER residency program.
Their participation, including public lectures and artistic contributions, marked an early step in BAI’s commitment to fostering international dialogue and supporting artists from Ukraine.
Join BAI Social – A Call for Collaboration!
By working together, we can expand opportunities for artists who are in need of resources, and supportive community to continue creating. At Berlin Art Institute, we are committed to a global vision of solidarity through art. But we know that with like-minded partners, we can reach even more artists and make a deeper impact.
If your organization shares these values, we invite you to collaborate with us. Whether by partnering to provide residency opportunities, recommending an artist in need or developing educational projects together, there are many ways we can work hand in hand. Let’s unite efforts to empower more artists, nurture diverse creative voices, and build a stronger, more inclusive global art community.
👉 Partner with BAI Social →
We look forward to building meaningful collaborations with us in this mission. Together, let’s champion art as a force for hope, healing, and shared humanity.
For inquiries or to discuss potential collaboration, please contact us at BAISocial@BerlinArtInstitute.com
The BAI combines an international artist residency with a contemporary art school. It also functions as an innovative arts incubator. The BAI is an independent institute for artistic practice, training, discourse, and research in Berlin. All courses are conducted in English.
Phone: +49 (0)30 235 735 30
Fax: +49 (0)30 235 735 32
info@BerlinArtInstitute.com
www.BerlinArtInstitute.com
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