an international network of cultural changemakers

AFIELD is anchored in the fundamental belief that artists are essential to the fabric of society, as thinkers, visionaries and changemakers. By providing the resources and support, AFIELD believes in their profound capacity to lead transformational change in their communities and society as a whole.

AFIELD 10 years © Elisa Cucinelli

AFIELD gives fellowships to artists and cultural practitioners who have initiated social projects catalyzing change and empowering their communities in long-term and tangible ways.

They are visual artists, filmmakers, choreographers, photographers, actors, writers, curators and journalists who are working beyond their studio for the benefit of communities around the world.

In September 2024, the AFIELD Forum: Systems Change by Artists launched a three-year cycle of events in Brussels to convene AFIELD’s network and community, and to spotlight artists’ solutions-in-practice to key questions addressing systemic change and social and environmental justice. The second edition of the Forum, held on 27–30 May 2025, focused on Transitional Justice.

Apart from providing fellowships, awarded annually and collectively selected by the network, AFIELD also provides other resources in the form of discussions, mutual aid, incubation and community building, to help fellows deepen and strengthen their work in their particular contexts.

Through its active network, AFIELD facilitates mutual support and collaboration across the globe. In the long run, it enables discourse, theory and the development of infrastructures for socially-engaged practice, through an expanding set of examples of “practices in action”.

AFIELD amplifies creative voices and solutions, with the aim to bring arts and culture to the foreground of social experimentation and international philanthropic thinking.

A girl is standing on a platform in front of a horse-cart and some trees, she is surrounded by other children sitting, laughing and listening as she reads out-loud from a book.

The first library-horsecart in 2021 Fellow Nirwan Arsuka's mobile library network © Pustaka Bergerak, Indonesia

our journey

AFIELD was conceived as a fellowship for social initiatives from arts and culture in 2014, under the umbrella of the art organization Council. The first fellowships were awarded to choreographer Lia Rodrigues and photographer Zanele Muholi.

In 2018, a decentralized structure was inaugurated by involving the network through a voting process. The same year, a mentorship program was added to the fellowship, where fellows could become mentors of younger initiatives for one year.

In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, regular online gatherings of the entire network were initiated. The “Kitchen calls” are occasions to discuss the program collectively, and share hopes and struggles.

In 2021, the mentorship grew into the study program. Titled Together, the first Study program was led by Massimiliano Mollona. The same year, individual supporters joined the network and became active participants.

Former team members include Salome Burstein and Luz Angela Hernandez.

A hand holding an old image of a man standing in the door of a Bookshop, in front of the the exact same scene after Wajha have worked with the design for the Bookshop.

New window design for Elmuhtaseb Bookshop, (since 1949) © Wajha

governance, funds & support

A Strategic Board of five members help to shape AFIELD’s organisational priorities. The larger network is consulted on matters related to new members election, including the annual fellowship and its related programs.

Current Strategic Board members are Aisha Dème, Elisa Silva, Mimi Brown, Sandra Terdjman, Taeyoon Choi.

Previous members (previously known as Facilitation Group):

2021–24: Chantal Wong, Diana Campbell, Grégory Castéra, Sandra Terdjman, Taeyoon Choi.

Meetings of the network, called “Kitchen calls” happen regularly. They are both informative — sharing news, common interests and challenges — and decision-oriented when it comes to changing the program or electing new members.

AFIELD exists thanks to a group of engaged collectors and philanthropists who support the program on an annual basis. They are active members of the network, voting, and contributing with their skills and knowledge.

Foundational Supporters include: Lawrence & Natalie Chu, Mimi Brown.

Individual Supporters include: Alice Lung, Benedicta Badia, Diana Biggs, Elaine Marden, Eunei Lee, Haro Cumbusyan, Jehan Chu & Jeannie Vu, Phillip Keir, Tamara Corm, Virginia Yee, and Wendy Lee.

AFIELD’s core funding comes from the AKAT Fonds de dotation in France and a number of international foundations including the Supporting Act Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, and the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Please, contact us for more information on how to support AFIELD.

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