THE FOUNDATION

Open Arts Foundation was founded in Plovdiv in 2007 by Katrin and Vesselina Sarievi. It is one of the leading cultural organizations in Bulgaria, working for sustainable development and the creation of new models and practices to support the Bulgarian contemporary culture.

Open Arts Foundation’s projects and activities have a wide network of partnering organizations, widespread public recognition, numerous awards and many followers and are considered as one of the main factors for the development and activation of the contemporary cultural life in Plovdiv and Bulgaria.

The foundation develops its projects in four main programs: Night of Museums and Galleries, City and Culture, Educational program (Introduction to Contemporary Art) and International exchange, up until 2020, with each program having its own short-term or long-term sub-projects. After 2020, due to the global pandemic and the recovery from it, the Night of Museums and Galleries programme is temporarily on hold. The organization works with leading experts for the development of its projects.

Throughout the years and its various projects, the foundation has established a broad partnership network that includes local and national institutions, Bulgarian and foreign non-governmental organizations, foreign cultural institutions in Bulgaria, hundreds of artists and artistic groups, as well as private sector partners.

The physical space of the foundation, along with SARIEV galleryq artnewscafe, Fluca – cultural pavilion, organizations which are also founded by Katrin and Vesselina Sarievi, form a cultural center at the very end of Otets Paisiy Street in Plovdiv.

The foundation is part of Sarieva/Hub since 2022.

HISTORY AND LEGAL STATUS

Open Arts Foundation was registered in 2007 in the Central Register of the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice as a public-interest non-governmental organization.

Prior to that (2005-2007), Open Arts Foundation existed as a platform for non-commercial culture of Sariev Gallery, developing projects such as the Plovdiv Night of Museums and Galleries (the foundation’s largest undertaking).

The first office of the foundation opened its doors at 36 Otets Paisiy Street in Plovdiv in March 2010, when the building of its organizational structure and permanent staff began.

more about Open Arts – see the publication 10 Years Open Arts

ACTIVITIES

Open Arts Foundation’s policy is to create and produce its own cultural projects, developed thematically by Katrin and Vesselina Sarievi. A small part of the activities are linked to partnerships, support and co-production of external projects.

Open Arts Foundation operates mainly in Plovdiv, with partial projects in Sofia and abroad.

FUNDING

Open Arts Foundation works with the financial support of private and public organizations, as well as individual citizens.

TEAM

Our core team includes: Director, Finance consultant, Project coordinators and long term Artistic Content directors of our projects.

We also use the services of a network of consultants, experts, interns and volunteers.

CAREER