Global Context
The world faces numerous challenges in the cultural and arts sectors that limit creativity, expression, and community development. Key issues include limited funding, unequal access to cultural resources, and the marginalisation of minority voices.
- Funding Disparities: Cultural and creative industries generate annual revenues of $2.25 trillion and employ 30 million people worldwide. Yet, funding remains limited, with many artists and cultural organisations struggling to secure financial support.
- Access to Arts: Access to cultural and artistic activities is often restricted by socioeconomic factors, with marginalised communities having fewer opportunities to engage in the arts.
- Cultural Heritage at Risk: Cultural heritage and history around the world are increasingly under threat due to factors like uncontrolled urbanisation, natural disasters, climate change, tourism influx, neglect, and armed conflict, leading to the potential loss of invaluable cultural history.
Vulnerable Groups and Cultural Impact
Cultural and artistic challenges disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including low-income communities, indigenous peoples, and marginalised populations, who often lack the resources to participate in cultural and artistic activities. The consequences include:
- Cultural Marginalisation: Limited representation and support for minority artists and cultural organisations, leading to a loss of cultural diversity and heritage.
- Economic Inequality: Reduced opportunities for artists from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop their talents and pursue sustainable careers in the arts.
- Social Exclusion: Marginalised communities face barriers to participating in public cultural life, which can lead to a sense of isolation and exclusion.
Bridging Communities Through Art
Based in Gaziantep, Kırkayak Culture, Art and Nature Association promotes social cohesion, cultural diversity, and democratic values by supporting disadvantaged communities, refugees, and migrants across Türkiye, the Middle East, and Europe. With our support, they revived cultural life by reopening the Kırkayak Art Centre, hosting weekly film screenings, the Zeugma Film Festival with 2,300+ attendees, and exhibitions by migrant and refugee artists. After the February 2023 earthquakes, they continued empowering the local community.
Civil Society's Role
Civil society organisations play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by engaging in:
- Raising Awareness: Educating the public about the importance of cultural diversity and the arts, and promoting inclusive cultural policies.
- Preservation Efforts: Protecting and preserving cultural heritage sites through targeted conservation projects.
- Policy Advocacy: Influencing policies to increase support and funding for the arts and ensure equitable access to cultural resources.
- Community Empowerment: Supporting local artists and cultural organisations in developing sustainable practices and fostering cultural exchange.
Our Approach
At Türkiye Mozaik Foundation, we recognise the transformative role of culture and arts in fostering inclusivity, creative expression, and community. So far, we’ve invested £405,608 in 33 grants to support organisations working in this area. Our grants have:
- Increased access to cultural spaces for diverse audiences,
- Empowered underrepresented artists, including women, queer, and migrant communities,
- Created platforms for cultural exchange and collaboration,
- Preserved cultural memory through digital archives.
We launched our Culture and Arts Fund in 2019 to support civil society organisations (CSOs) that use culture and the arts to advance cultural rights, promote civic engagement, and strengthen social cohesion. So far, the fund has awarded a total of £112,490 through 17 grants.
Explore the full list of grants we’ve provided, supporting impactful projects across various areas of work since our inception.
Partnerships for Greater Impact
To strengthen our impact, in 2025, we partnered with the SAHA Association to pool resources, share expertise, and support a broader range of independent art initiatives.
Launched in 2016, the SAHA Sustainability Fund has provided vital support to over 50 independent art spaces and publications in Türkiye and abroad. After the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2023 earthquakes, the Fund expanded its work to help artists and collectives sustain and rebuild their practices in affected regions.
In 2025, it supports 12 initiatives in 9 cities, and we proudly contribute through a match fund to help more artists continue their work. Find out more and contribute here.
Grants in Action
Troya Culture Association – CABININ Çanakkale Biennial Initiative uses contemporary art to foster social participation, especially among disadvantaged groups. With our support, they connected 103 cultural enthusiasts across Çanakkale, gathering data through research and interviews with local cultural actors to create a network map. The project culminated in an event and the launch of a website and video documenting the journey of the Çanakkale Cultural Actors Network.
Puruli Arts and Culture Association works to make arts and culture accessible to all, with a focus on people with disabilities, and creates alternative platforms for groups and institutions who share a similar passion. With our support, Puruli organised the Accessible Film Festival, collaborated with disability-focused civil society organisations, conducted interviews to assess cultural needs, and created a guideline to help festivals become more inclusive.
More of Mozaik in Action
Gender Equality
Find out how we support civil society efforts promoting gender equality and women’s rights.
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Environment
Discover how our grants support environmental initiatives across Türkiye.
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Emergencies
Explore how we support the people and regions affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
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