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Three Years in Austria: Interview with Oleksandr Dmytrenko

Who are you? How has your life changed since the invasion and your moving to Austria?
I, Oleksandr Dmytrenko, am a Ukrainian artist (painting, drawing, sculpture, performance), scholar (history and theory of fine arts), teacher of artistic disciplines, professional jazz musician (guitar, double bass), active concert performer, bandleader. I am a winner of art awards and international jazz festivals.
I arrived in Austria on June 1, 2022, to continue my professional creative and scientific activities in proper conditions. In connection with the outbreak of the Russian war against Ukraine, I used the help of the Office Ukraine. I came to Graz to continue my professional activity under the conditions of the urgent protection of Ukrainians in Austria. Practically, my life has not changed compared to how I lived in Ukraine before the invasion. Of course, except for the fact that I am in a different language environment, in a different apartment (albeit a comfortable one…

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Three Years in Austria: Interview mit Yuliia Iliukha

Who are you? How has your life changed after the invasion and moving to Austria?
My name is Yulia Iliukha. I am a writer and I have a 12-year-old son. And I have a husband who used to be a captain in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but he was demobilised after being wounded. Like all Ukrainians, my life changed a lot after the invasion because I am from Kharkiv. I lived in Kharkiv for most of my life and I wasn’t going to move anywhere. Maybe I was going to move within Ukraine to Kyiv, but I was definitely not going to emigrate to Western Europe.

But after the invasion, I stayed in Kharkiv for the first months because my husband was in the army. And I had been helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a volunteer for many years before that. And so, after the…

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Three Years in Austria: Interview with Olga Zhuk

Who are you? How has your life changed after the invasion and moving to Austria?
My name is Olga Zhuk. I am an artist and designer. I work with lighting and furniture design. I moved to Graz with my kids in summer 2022 and we have been staying here since then. My kids are nine and fourteen years old. By the time we had to move here, I had a pretty good life in Kyiv. I complied to everything society expects from you. I was married, I had kids who went to school, I had a career and career plans. Shortly before the full-scale invasion, I had moved into bigger studio and was going to extend and boost my artistic activities. Due to the full-scale invasion and the moving to Graz as a result, everything broke apart. Here in Graz, we started from scratch basically.

Everyday life has also changed because it is my own responsibility…

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Art, Migration, and Motherhood: Stories of Ukrainian Women in Austria

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Office Ukraine has formed closer connections with Ukrainian artists currently living in Austria. We spoke in depth with some of them about how their lives have changed since that devastating moment—how they have adjusted to life in Austria, the challenges they’ve overcome, and those they continue to face.

Migration—and especially forced migration—often entails the loss of social and financial status, familiar routines, and support networks. We were particularly interested in artists who are also parents, as the integration process takes on entirely different dimensions when children are involved.

Oksana Maslova is a mother of a daughter, a writer, and an active participant in Vienna’s theatre scene. Olena Maiorenko, also a mother—of three—is a painter and art educator. They shared with Office Ukraine how their lives have changed since arriving in Austria.

Interview with Oksana Maslova

How has your position in Austria evolved since you arrived from Ukraine?

Since arriving in Austria, I’ve focused on artistic projects that explore personal transformation and resilience in times of crisis. We are living through a period of intense upheaval, and these experiences can resonate even with those who have never faced such profound change.

In 2023, I…

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Fellowships for Curators and Artists at Salzburg Summer Academy 2025

ERSTE Foundation offers fourteen fellowships for young artists and emerging curators from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine to take part in a course of their choice at the International Summer Academy of Fine Arts in Salzburg 2025.

CALL now OPEN until 6 April 2025

The Fellowships for Curators and Artists at the International Summer Academy of Fine Arts in Salzburg are part of ERSTE Foundation’s educational program and its long-term endeavour to support and strengthen contemporary art especially in the region of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The fellowship program is realized together with ERSTE Foundation’s long-time cooperation partners from tranzit, Igor Zabel Association and Kontakt Collection. Kontakt Collection collaborates with the Zagreb based WHW Akademija.

We would like to express our solidarity with Ukraine and the people who have to endure or flee from the ongoing war there. Therefore we open this program to Ukrainian artists as well and dedicate two fellowships to them.

ERSTE Foundation offers fourteen fellowships for young artists and…

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FOCUS INTERNATIONAL Ukraine – (Re)Creation Residency

FOCUS INTERNATIONAL Ukraine is a program of the Austrian Cultural Ministry, organized and hosted by Office Ukraine Innsbruck / Künstler*innenhaus Büchsenhausen. The aim is to provide a two-month break from the ongoing war and to offer the invited artists the possibility to pursue their artistic work in a peaceful and safe environment. The residencies are aimed primarily towards visual artists.

Organised by Office Ukraine/Künstler*innenhaus Büchsenhausen, FOCUS INTERNATIONAL Ukraine (Re)Creation Residency enables three visual artists based in Ukraine to participate in a residency for two months each in the alpine-urban setting of the City of Innsbruck and its greater area.

The participants will be hosted by two cultural institutions with expertise in the field of Residency Programs: Künstler*innenhaus Büchsenhausen in Innsbruck and GRUNDin' Residency in Rietz.

Künstler*innenhaus Büchsenhausen is a post-graduate center for production, research, mediation in the fields of visual arts and art…

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FOCUS INTERNATIONAL Ukraine: Traineeship Program

FOCUS INTERNATIONAL Ukraine is a program of the Austrian Cultural Ministry, organized and hosted by Office Ukraine/Künstler*innenhaus Büchsenhausen, which provides Ukrainian artists and cultural workers based in Austria with the opportunity to gain professional work experience at various art initiatives in Tyrol.

With this program, the Cultural Ministry promotes international artistic and cultural exchange – in both directions: It supports Austrian artists and art projects in the cooperation country, but is also committed to Austria’s internationality when it comes to bringing artists and cultural workers to Austria within the framework of the program.

The program offers an opportunity for artists and cultural workers from Ukraine living in
Austria
to collect personal work experience in a cultural institution.

The FOCUS INTERNATIONAL Ukraine Traineeship Program consists of three two-month long internships hosted by three different cultural institutions in the greater Innsbruck area:

- Literaturhaus am Inn (literature);
-…

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Statements by supporters on the occasion of the third Remembrance Day of the large-scale Russian war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2025

Ever since the start of Russia’s brutal, unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine three years ago, we have stood in solidarity with Ukraine, providing humanitarian, financial and diplomatic help. Austria has supported Ukraine with more than € 293 million in bilateral assistance. We remain committed to supporting Ukraine – as long as it takes.
It is important to also pay attention to culture. Culture is essential for our societies to continue tackling the future head on both during the war and after it ends. In the past three years, Austria has put into action key-initiatives that aim to help Ukrainian artists and scientists. This solidarity is an essential part of Austria’s efforts to stand with Ukraine and its people. I am particularly proud of initiatives like Office Ukraine. Support for Ukrainian Artists initiated by my Ministry.

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Ukrainian Fight for Freedom and Sovereignty

On the third Remembrance Day of the large-scale Russian war of aggression against Ukraine

Three years ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a large-scale, brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, escalating the conflict that began a decade earlier in 2014 with Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and violation of Ukraine's borders. The attack, which violated international law, changed the lives of all Ukrainians, their identity and the political landscape of Europe. This date marks not only a day of mourning, but also the beginning of a long struggle for freedom and the defense of values that are fundamental to Ukraine and the international community.

The last three years have left deep wounds. More than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians killed and over 30,000 wounded (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; as of December 31, 2024), as well as 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed and 370,000 wounded provide an insight into the terrifying reality of war.

Towns, villages and infrastructure were destroyed, families were torn apart. More than…

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Cultural conference in Ukraine: Werner Kogler, Federal Minister for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport, confirms support in greeting message

From February 1 to 2, 2025, a conference with European Culture Ministers on the topic of “Cooperation for Resilience” took place in Uzhgorod, Ukraine, at the invitation of Ukrainian Culture Minister Mykola Tochytskyi. 

Important common concerns were formulated in a joint resolution and set out in a final declaration:

-Establishment of a cultural heritage fund for the restoration and preservation of Ukrainian cultural heritage

-Cooperation in combating the illegal trade in Ukrainian cultural property

-Establishment of criminal or disciplinary sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in illegal trafficking of cultural property

-Establishment of an expert group for the reconstruction of culture

Federal Minister for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport Werner Kogler said in a video message at the conference: “Austria is committed to supporting Ukraine also in cultural matters as long as it is necessary.” https://youtu.be/N99oHK5vQa4 

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Office Ukraine. Two Years of Support for Ukrainian Artists Presentations of the publication throughout Austria in fall / winter 2024

The publication Office Ukraine. Two Years of Support for Ukrainian Artists is a joint project by the three Office Ukraine offices in Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck and was published in July 2024 by Verlag für moderne Kunst / Vienna.

The publication Office Ukraine. Two Years of Support for Ukrainian Artists is a joint project by the three Office Ukraine offices in Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck and was published in July 2024 by Verlag für moderne Kunst / Vienna.

The publication provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse activities of Office Ukraine in the first two years of its existence. In the context of the approximately 270 events presented, the diverse cooperations between Ukrainian artists and cultural workers and (mostly) Austrian institutions are also made visible. In addition to contributions from the team, numerous Ukrainian artists and supporters also recount their experiences. A personal essay by author Tanya Malyarchuk and a contribution by linguist Ruth Wodak on current trends in international migration policy complement the assembled information.

The book aims not only to share the experiences of two years of work with…

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Visit to Office Ukraine Vienna

On the occasion of the agreement on cultural cooperation between Ukraine and Austria, the delegation of ministry representatives met with the team of the art initiative

After an intensive two-day exchange between Ukrainian and Austrian ministry representatives, the first work program in the fields of art and culture, education and science with Ukraine was signed by Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Khymynets and Director General Christoph Thun-Hohenstein / BMEIA on January 15, 2025 in Vienna. 

The work program, which is valid for the years 2025– 2030, is based on a cultural agreement from 2019 and paves the way for concrete steps for future cooperation. The Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES), the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), and the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) took part in drawing up the program. 

On the same day, a meeting took place between Federal Minister of Culture Werner Kogler and First Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine Galyna Grygorenko, at which a letter of intent…

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Open Call for Ukrainian Artists

Office Ukraine Vienna in collaboration with Veronika Dirnhofer / Solidarity Matters, invites Ukrainian artists to apply for participating in the group exhibition “Stolen Past, Threatened Future” (working title) curated by Matilda Cherednichenko

Exhibition Concept

The group exhibition aims to reflect on the diverse impacts of the ongoing war in Ukraine, referring to both the historical consequences and contemporary realities. Through a variety of media, the artists will share the full story of the war's impact, highlighting the realities from different perspectives. From living under constant threat to common uncertainty about the future, the exhibition draws attention to the shared experience of loss, displacement and identity, connecting audiences and spreading solidarity. It will also reflect on the emotional impact of the ongoing aggression and explore how art can process trauma, reconstruct identity, and provide hope for the future.

Instead of focusing on differences, the exhibition highlights unity, presenting the Ukrainian voice as one - no matter where you live or what personal struggles you face.

If you feel your work resonates with this concept, we are looking forward to receiving your application.

Who…

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Office Ukraine Innsbruck
Office Ukraine Restructuring Announcement

Since February 2022 Office Ukraine has been working as a platform to support displaced Ukrainian artists and cultural workers all over Austria. With offices in Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck, the program provided help in administrative and professional terms, as well as connections with Austrian institutions.

In the upcoming weeks, Office Ukraine will undergo restructuring resulting in a redistribution of tasks across the Innsbruck, Vienna, and Graz offices. 

Office Ukraine Innsbruck will shift its focus from facilitating connections between Ukrainian artists and local institutions to managing residency programs and capacity building.

We will share the exact details of these changes on our website, newsletter, and social media channels in January. 

Stay tuned!

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Office Ukraine Wien
Art in Uncertain Times: Artists at Work

Over the past two and a half years, Office Ukraine has connected with hundreds of Ukrainian artists—spanning generations, mediums, and diverse life stages. These artists have shared their practices, challenges, and visions with us. Today, we present three distinct voices: a painter, a conductor, and a photographer. Each tells a unique story of how they continue their artistic work despite limited resources, where they find opportunities, and what inspires them to create in times of uncertainty.

Artists’ stories

Polina Makarova at work, © Courtesy of the artist

Polina Makarova, designer and painter

This summer, I realized that drawing isn’t just something I want to do—it’s a vital part of who I am. To make time for it, I’ve had to intentionally prioritize creativity in my daily life. I dedicate three free hours in the morning to art, before my afternoon work begins…

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Office Ukraine Graz
Autumn 2024 for Office Ukraine Graz: Taking a Look Back

Prepared by: Maria Kardash & Stephanie Sackl

At the start of a new winter season (and the New Year!) we would like to look back on the projects and events that took place in Graz this autumn. Join us on this reflection journey and read our newsletter!

UKRAINIAN CHARITY ART MARKET

In early September 2024, Office Ukraine Graz and ZIEGEL. Art atelier & project space participated in the Ukrainian Charity Art Market organized by Ridna Domivka, the Ukrainian cultural association in Graz.

In addition to the artworks for sale, the Ukrainian art-community offered a unique opportunity at the market: a Ukrainian language workshop by Mariya Donska, a university assistant at the Department of Slavic Studies at the University of Graz. In 2022, Mariya organized the first Ukrainian language course for beginners in Graz and currently conducts regular Ukrainian classes at the university.

“It is always gratifying when people who knew nothing about the Ukrainian language get excited…

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Office Ukraine Wien
Out of sight, out of mind: Against a policy of leaving people to die. On current developments in international migration policies

Judith Kohlenberger on the erosion of human rights, economic contradictions and the integration of refugees in Europe.

© markuszahradnik.com 

Judith Kohlenberger, migration researcher at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, is one of the most influential voices in the debate on migration and refugees. With her latest publication “Grenzen der Gewalt” (Leykam 2024), she draws attention to the political and social mechanisms behind European migration policy – and its humanitarian and economic consequences. In this interview, she talks about the social erosion of solidarity, the moral abysses of a policy of letting people die and the opportunities that migration and integration could offer.  

Office Ukraine: European and global migration policy is becoming increasingly restrictive – often at the expense of human rights. At the same time, these positions meet with broad approval, even…

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Open Call for Ukrainian Curators

Exhibition on the occasion of the third Remembrance Day of the Russian full-scale invasion / March 2025

In the context of the third Remembrance Day of Russia's large-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, Office Ukraine Vienna is planning a group show with Ukrainian artists in cooperation with Veronika Dirnhofer / chairwoman solidarity matters in March 2025.

We are organising two Open Calls for the exhibition:

As part of the first Open Call, we are looking for a Ukrainian curator who will present a concept for the exhibition. For the second Open Call, which will be published at a later date, artists can apply to participate in the exhibition based on the selected curatorial concept. 

Open Call 1: For the exhibition concept and subsequently the selection of the artists, a Ukrainian curator is now being sought in the course of this first Open Call. 

We are asking interested curators to submit a short exhibition concept (max.…

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Allgemein

According to Eurostat, 77,700 temporarily displaced persons from Ukraine were registered in Austria at the end of June this year. According to the country’s statistical service, the largest group is people under 19 years of age (25,089 people), followed by people under 40 years of age (23,873 people), then up to 60 years of age (21,426 people). Slightly more than half of the arrivals receive social benefits. All Ukrainians who came to Austria as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion are entitled to free language learning up to the C1 level. According to the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), over 54,000 course places have been taken up by Ukrainians in Austria to date. In the first six months of this year, 11,505 Ukrainians attended German courses.  Most of them studied the language at the A1 and A2 levels. Detailed statistics can be found on the Integration Fund website. 

We talked to artists and cultural…

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Office Ukraine Wien
Learning German and navigating through life

The ÖIF representative told us that the pass rates of the exams show that Ukrainian displaced persons are making good progress in learning German and that the need for higher course levels is constantly increasing. This also corresponds to the generally very positive feedback from the Ukrainian community.

In addition to the German courses offered by course providers, the ÖIF also expanded the freely accessible online German learning programmes on Sprachportal.at, the largest German learning platform in the German-speaking world: in addition to its own online German courses, which are implemented in cooperation with the Ukrainian universities of Drohobych and Uzhhorod and which Ukrainian displaced persons can attend without registering, the ÖIF expanded its part-time and job-specific German learning programmes in particular last year. At www.sprachportal.at, a range of daily online German courses and job-specific online courses as well as free learning and practice materials are available to all German learners.

Office Ukraine Graz
Language Barriers for the Ukrainian Artist* Community in Graz

The Ukrainian Artist* Community has already been an active part of the arts and cultural scene in Graz and Styria for more than two years. In order for inclusion to succeed not only as a private individual, but also as an artist* or cultural worker*, it is necessary to learn German. In this respect, however, Ukrainian artists* living in Graz are confronted with a number of challenges. Although there is a wide range of German language courses on offer in the Graz area, only certain course formats are free of charge for Ukrainians* with displaced person status living in Austria. In line with the Austrian Integration Act, Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) provides German language courses from the teaching of literacy skills to language level C1 free of charge. The situation is different for language courses that are not provided by the ÖIF. If you decide in favour of a different language school or…

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Office Ukraine Innsbruck
Language is the key to everything

Interview with Maryna Kryvinchuk and Iryna Kozhyna

Learning German is a key challenge for all temporarily displaced persons in Austria. We asked journalist Maryna Kryvinchuk and artist and cultural manager Iryna Kozhyna about their language learning experiences, what tools they use and what advice they would give to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation.

© Maryna Kryvynchuk; 2024; photo: Sophia Martseniuk

Maryna Kryvinchuk was born in the capital city of Ukraine and studied at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University, majoring in Media Communications. In Ukraine, she worked in television, at the Ukrainian Book Institute, and in news analytics.

In Austria, Maryna hosted the Voice of Peace radio broadcast about the fate of Ukrainians during the war on FREIRAD – Freies Radio Innsbruck. The enthusiastic singer was also a choir member for a production at the Tiroler…

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Open Call for Ukrainian Artists: “Artist of the Week”

We are excited to announce our "Artist of the Week" project, a unique opportunity for Ukrainian artists (currently based in Austria or Ukraine) of all artistic fields to showcase their work on the social media channels of our platform.

Each week, we will feature one artist on Instagram to share their creative vision with a wider audience. You can see our first publication within this project for reference here.

Please submit your CV/ short bio and the content you would like to present (e.g. high quality images of your work, videos or any other formats that best represent your art and are suitable for social media).

Type of Instagram Video    Size and Dimensions Video Format
Instagram Video                   1080 x 1350p MP4, MOV, GIF
Instagram Story                    1080 x 1920p…

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Professional Integration HUB 2.0 O Internship in Graz

Internship with a Focus on Research and Project Organization as Part of the Professional Integration
HUB Internship Program

Professional Integration Hub is a long-term internship program for Ukrainians residing in Austria as a result of Russia‘s aggression against Ukraine. Office Ukraine will collaborate with the professional Integration Hub in fall 2024.
The goal of the program is to facilitate the professional advancement of Ukrainian specialists by integrating them into the European professional environment. Additionally, the experience gained through the program will be a significant contribution to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and its integration into the EU. The program is initiated and funded by ERSTE Foundation and implemented by the European Centre for Freedom and Independence. Please visit program website for more details: www.professionalhub.at.

Office Ukraine was founded shortly after the beginning of the large-scale war of aggression against Ukraine by Russia for Ukrainian cultural workers at the beginning of March 2022.
The initiative serves as a platform for the coordination of diverse civil society and institutional initiatives and acts as a liaison…

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Professional Integration HUB 2.0 O Internship in Vienna

Office Ukraine Vienna is looking for reinforcement for public relations and project organization in the
field of contemporary art

Professional Integration Hub is a long-term internship program for Ukrainians residing in Austria as a result of Russia‘s aggression against Ukraine. Office Ukraine will collaborate with the professional Integration Hub in fall 2024.
The goal of the program is to facilitate the professional advancement of Ukrainian specialists by integrating them into the European professional environment. Additionally, the experience gained through the program will be a significant contribution to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and its integration into the EU. The program is initiated and funded by ERSTE Foundation and implemented by the European Centre for Freedom and Independence. Please visit program website for more details: www.professionalhub.at.

Office Ukraine was founded shortly after the beginning of the large-scale war of aggression against Ukraine by Russia for Ukrainian cultural workers at the beginning of March 2022.
The initiative serves as a platform for the coordination of diverse civil society and…

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Fighting stereotypes and finding your voice: Internship at the Kunsthistorisches Museum

Kateryna Kinsel is an art critic and art historian from Ukraine who moved to Vienna with her family due to the full-scale Russian invasion.

In winter, Kateryna started her internship at the Art History Museum in Vienna. The internship is a result of a cooperation between the Artists Solidarity Program Europe (ASoP Europe) supported by the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, and Office Ukraine. We talked with Kateryna to learn more about her life and her experience at the prominent Austrian museum.

 Kateryna, please tell us more about your background.

 Before the full-scale invasion, I lived in Kyiv. I worked as a corporate lawyer for 15 years, but according to the statistics, a certain number of lawyers later switch to the art field, and I was one of them. After two of my daughters were born, I decided to systematize thousands of paintings and hundreds of books in my head and get a proper art education. In 2021 I graduated from the National Academy of…

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The Artist in Residence Programme at MuseumsQuartier in Vienna

CALL for APPLICATIONS 2025 now open until September 15, 2024

 

The Artist in Residence Programme at MuseumsQuartier in Vienna is part of ERSTE Foundation’s long-term endeavour to support contemporary art and to strengthen the fragile situation of its creators, especially in the region of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
The residency programme is carried out in close cooperation with ERSTE Foundation's key cultural partners: tranzitIgor Zabel Association and Kontakt Collection (Kontakt Collection will collaborate with the Zagreb based WHW Akademija.) Thus, the residencies are aimed at artists and curators from Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia working in the field of critical contemporary visual art to do research in their respective area.
Taking into consideration the urgencies raised by the ongoing war against Ukraine, we would like to express our solidarity and add a grant of a two-month stay…

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Money in art: how Ukrainian artists build life in Austria

To talk about Ukrainian artists and cultural workers’ representation and visibility in Austria wouldn’t be possible without talking about their working conditions and the art market. It’s not a surprise that most artists have a precarious position, and a few can sustain just from their art practice even if they were born in the EU and have a European passport. Speaking about refugees and temporary displaced people, it’s important to consider the difficulties they are facing in terms of language barrier, bureaucracy, and lack of network and connections. In our spring issue, we want to highlight the working art landscape for Ukrainian artists in Austria, to share the experience of different artists and some hard facts.

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“It’s unclear what will happen next year”

As it stands the EU Temporary Protection Directive will expire in March 2025. Visual artist Valeriia Lysenko and digital media artist Svitlana Zhytnia talk about why the next year worries them and how their lives and work in Graz have changed.

First of all, a brief overview: The EU Temporary Protection Directive has been offering immediate and temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine since March 2022. It makes it possible to stay in a member state, live there and work outside of an asylum procedure. The directive for the more than four million displaced Ukrainians in the EU has been extended several times, most recently in autumn 2023 when the EU Council decided to extend it until 2025.1 This means that the maximum duration of three years, as stipulated in the directive, has been reached. From today’s perspective, the temporary protection status will expire on 4 March 2025.2 It is not yet clear what will change for Ukrainians* in Austria.

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House of Europe

The European Union has been supporting the Ukrainian cultural sector for many years. A large number of institutions, initiatives, platforms, companies and individuals work every day to provide opportunities for creative people in the field of culture and education, as well as to build bridges between Ukraine and Europe. One of these projects is House of Europe. In December 2023, we had the opportunity to talk to them about their activities.

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toZOMIA – an art project that attempts to alleviate war trauma

This issue of our newsletter is dedicated to projects about Ukrainian families and children. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of women with children have arrived in Austria. One of the biggest problems was getting into school, kindergartens, and continuing their education. And although many Ukrainian schools continued to operate remotely, it was not easy to acquire knowledge, as well as to settle down on the spot. In various Austrian cities, independent projects addressing these problems began to emerge. The toZOMIA art space is one of them.

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Ridna Domivka: A place to call home

Being a stranger in a new country, with no idea of what the future holds. Creating a home in a new environment: For yourself, for your children, for your family. The concept of homeembodies more than just a specific place; it is a complex network of physical, emotional and social dimensions.

The HOME Residency Program*), which was created in cooperation with the art institutions < rotor > Center for Contemporary Art from Graz and 127 garage from Kharkiv, deals with this very topic. The initiative brings together five artists from Ukraine with five Ukrainian artists living in Graz who are supported by Office Ukraine.

The organization Ridna Domivka in Graz provides the program with its premises for workshops. Participants in these programs are displaced children and families from Ukraine. In the workshops, they deal intensively with the topic of HOME, reflect on its meaning and exchange ideas. The Ridna Domivka association has been committed to offering displaced mothers and their children since the outbreak of the full-scale war not only material assistance, but also a form of home – a place of arrival and emotional support.

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“For the sake of my children, I had to become strong.”

Oksana Radkevych, an artist, mother and displaced person, left Ukraine and came to Austria in 2022, shortly after the beginning of the full-scale war. “The beginning of the war took away the basic need of every person and family, the feeling of security.” The strong desire or, as Oksana puts it, the instinct to protect her children led her to leave her familiar surroundings. “At the time, it seemed safer to go to a country you didn’t know at all than to stay in Ukraine,” she recalls.

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General Statement

Austria sees itself as a culturally rich and open-minded country, in which diverse, experimental and critical art is always welcome. Austrian cultural policy is guided by a democratic and solidary worldview according to which artists, regardless of their national origin, sexual orientation or social background, deserve respect and the opportunity to create their art freely and protected by the constitutional right to freedom of expression and in accordance with the applicable laws. There is no place for any form of discrimination that runs counter to these principles.

Office Ukraine was created in this spirit at the beginning of March 2022. Initiated by the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport together with representatives of the Austrian art scene, Office Ukraine has since been trying to help artists and cultural producers who have fled to Austria from Ukraine due to Russia’s large-scale invasion: through networking, consulting, listening, providing concrete support and with donations. All persons working for Office Ukraine vigorously condemn Russia’s war of aggression against the sovereign Ukrainian state and try to help the displaced colleagues as much as possible with all means at their disposal. In all teams of Office Ukraine in Vienna, Graz and Innsbruck there are people with diverse origins and personal histories.

Office Ukraine appreciates any support from people who want to help the Ukrainian art and culture community that has fled to Austria in a sustainable way and want to be part of our team – regardless of their origin. All members of the Office Ukraine teams in Vienna, Graz and Innsbruck work exclusively in this spirit and have proven for more than one and a half years with their activities that they always pursue the well-being of Ukrainian artists and cultural producers in Austria. As a platform anchored in the Austrian cultural landscape, our work is guided exclusively by democratic and solidary values and we condemn any form of discrimination and violence. We observe with concern developments in the art and cultural scene that run counter to these convictions and risk silencing critical reflection and exchange. With our work we want to contribute to an open, diverse and critical cultural scene in Austria, of which many Ukrainian colleagues have become an integral part. Please support us in this endeavor!

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Initiative of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna for students from Ukraine

As a direct response to Russia’s large-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, the University of Applied Arts Vienna provided study places for the 2022/23 academic year for Ukrainian students to continue their studies who had last studied at an art university in Ukraine.

Bernhard Kernegger, Vice Rector for Teaching: “After the outbreak of the war against Ukraine, Angewandte created 50 additional study places on a one-off basis, for which refugee students from Ukraine with suitable upright studies could apply. These students are now fully-fledged students of Angewandte and are also no longer supervised separately. After an intensive initial phase, where Angewandte was still advising on residency issues, among other things, these students have now become part of Angewandte, just like all other international students.”

Ruth Anderwald and Leonhard Grond, professorship team of the PhD in Art program at the University of Applied Arts: “For us it is important that artists get help from art institutions and colleagues, so that they get access to what sustains them, be it financially, socially, emotionally or artistically.”

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There is no place for bureaucracy when it comes to saving lives

Many students and teachers at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna expressed their solidarity with Ukraine. Veronika Dirnhofer, an artist and professor in the drawing class, was one of the first to support Ukrainians and had her entire class help raise donations in an unexpected way. The students held a series of parties, exhibitions, and auctions in the walls of the Academy and collected more than 20.000 EUR. We talked with Veronika about how a large institution is able to open its doors and support people in difficult situations, thanks to individual initiative.

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OPENED ROOMS FOR UKRAINIAN ARTISTS AT ORTWEINSCHULE GRAZ

Ukrainian artists sometimes lack contacts and access to materials when they arrive in Graz. Kulturvermittlung Steiermark and Office Ukraine in Graz started a cooperation with the Masterschool for Arts and Design at the Ortweinschule in Graz. The artists are allowed to participate now and then and use the equipment as non-official students. Some are also attending the classes regularly.

In a workshop at the HTBLVA Ortwein in Graz, Tetiana Rudenko, a young artist from Odesa, sets the first brushstrokes of her latest work. “I can use the studio, at home there’s not much place to work now,” she says. The model for the still life is a three-year-old photograph showing an abandoned room in Ukraine. Rudenko adds some details, the skeleton immediately catches the eye. She is now in her second year in the master class for painting, after the application process she was given a regular place.

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In the Lecture Hall and on the Stage — A Ukrainian theater student in Austria

In the wake of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, numerous art university students were forced to leave Ukraine and pursue their academic and creative endeavors abroad. Among them is Yaroslav Somkin, a theater student currently enrolled at Mozarteum Salzburg, who shared with us his experiences.

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Special Support for Ukraine: The Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES) supports Ukrainian artists and cultural workers in a variety of ways

The BMKOES has reacted quickly to Russia’s large-scale war against Ukraine and initiated various projects to support Ukrainian artists and cultural producers in solidarity.

Already in March 2022, the BMKOES-funded initiative “Office Ukraine. Shelter for Ukrainian Artists” was founded at three locations in cooperation with tranzit.at (Vienna), < rotor > (Graz) and Künstler:innenhaus Büchsenhausen (Innsbruck), which offers support on many levels for Ukrainian artists who have fled to Austria.

The BMKOES also provides fast and specific support for Ukrainian artists who have fled to Austria as a consequence of the war. Since the beginning of the program, around 160 scholarships and project grants have been awarded. This enables Ukrainian artists to live and work safely in Austria and creates a framework for networking and exchange with the art and cultural scene in Austria.

In the meantime, this special Ukraine aid program has become a European best practice example.

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Information on special funding for Ukraine

Dear Ukrainian artists, representatives of institutions, cultural initiatives and cultural workers,

we would like to remind you that you can receive additional support from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES). The grant is awarded for projects realised with the participation of Ukrainian artists:

  • Scholarships (€ 1.500 monthly per artist for a maximum of 3 months)
  • Project grants (maximum € 5,000 per project; no infrastructure or rental costs can be funded).

All information about the grants as well as the application form can be found on the BMKOES website.

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“I was a bit naïve about the duration of the war”

The Ukrainian curator Anastasiya Yarovenko about her exhibition at the Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz, which was supported by the BMKOES.

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Tense Horizon – an exhibition at QL-Galerie Graz

I am Elmira Shemsedinova, an artist and educator. Fleeing conflict, I found temporary refuge through the Office Ukraine Graz, an experience for which I am profoundly thankful. The platform facilitated connections within Austria’s art community, including fellow Ukrainians displaced by the war.

In September 2022, I was awarded a scholarship from BMKOES, which allowed me to continue my work. The curator Alois Kölbl, whom I met through Anton Lederer of Office Ukraine Graz invited me for an interview for KHG’s publication, “Denken+Glauben”. On this occasion, I could share the history of my family, the displacement suffered by my relatives, Crimean Tatars, who remained in Russian-occupied Crimea. About the importance of Crimea and how it is influencing my artistic practice.

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“It’s a good challenge to make Ukrainian art better known in Austria”

Lizaveta German is the co-founder of the gallery “The Naked Room”in Kyiv and co-curated the Ukrainian Pavilion at the Venice Biennial in 2022. In this interview the renowned Ukrainian curator gives an insight into her work, her exhibition projects and her experiences in Vienna, where she has lived since April last year.

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Encounters in Galerie Nothburga

In addition to numerous work grants awarded to Ukrainian artists within the framework of the special funding Ukraine-Hilfe of the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sports (BMKOES), which was launched in 2022, numerous presentation opportunities for Ukrainian artists were created by local art and cultural institutions thanks to the additional financial resources. One example of a project made possible by the special funding from the BMKOES is an exhibition at Galerie Nothburga in Innsbruck, which has been in planning since 2022 and was realized in June/July 2023.

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Ukrainian artists linked to the local art scene

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of working with Office Ukraine in Graz as well as had a chance to work on several projects as curator.

In Graz, there is an incredible community of artists who have relocated here following the onset of the invasion. I find it immensely gratifying to work closely with this aspect — organizing exhibitions with these artists and helping to promote Ukrainian art here in Austria. For me, it was extremely important to be able to collaborate with them and with local institutions, organizations, and individuals building a strong joint community.

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“Stay Loud and Visible”

Nadja Ayoub, director of Kunstraum Schwaz (formerly Galerie der Stadt Schwaz), has been in close contact with the Innsbruck Office Ukraine since the beginning of the initiative. The committed curator spoke to us about her motivations for exchanging ideas with Ukrainian artists and how the war has affected her curatorial practice.

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IN // BETWEEN: Workshopreihe für ukrainische Künstler:innen in Österreich

In der letzten Märzwoche fand in drei Städten Österreichs der für ukrainische Künstler:innen konzipierte und in Kooperation mit den Office Ukraine Büros umgesetzte Wanderworkshop IN // BETWEEN statt. IN // BETWEEN: London and Kharkiv [https://www.instagram.com/inbetweenlondonandkharkiv/] ist ein kollaboratives Forschungsprojekt, das von UK/Ukraine Season: Future Reimagined, vom British Council, dem Ukrainian Institute, dem Royal College of Art und dem YermilovCentre unterstützt wird. Die Workshopleitenden – Künstler:innen und Lehrende am Royal College of Art (London, UK) – veranstalteten in Graz (25. März), Wien (27. März) und Innsbruck (28. März) eintägige Workshops basierend auf dem Psychogeographie-Ansatz, an denen 21 ukrainische Künstler:innen verschiedener Disziplinen beteiligt waren.

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Inner Landscapes

Unter dem Titel “Inner Landscapes” versammelte die Ausstellung in der Fenstergalerie der ERSTE Stiftung sieben ukrainische Künstler:innen — Lilia Petrova, Maryna Shtanko, Yevgen Samborsky, Vladyslav Riaboshtan,Taras Kovach, Yana Franz und Marharyta Zhurunova —, die mit unterschiedlichen Medien und Formaten arbeiten und an verschiedenen Orten leben.

Viele ukrainische Künstler:innen sind aufgrund der russischen Invasion gezwungen, ein Nomadendasein zu führen. Die bis 27. April präsentierten Arbeiten sind das Ergebnis einer Auseinandersetzung der Künstler:innen mit ihrer ungewissen existenziellen Situation.

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Ukrainische Künstler:innen im Projekt myt’: Wo Vergangenheit und Gegenwart im LOT aufeinandertreffen

Office Ukraine unterstützt vor allem Initiativen, die ukrainische Künstler:innen in ihr Programm aufnehmen und ihnen Raum und Möglichkeiten bieten. Das LOT ist ein neuer Raum im 10. Bezirk in Wien, der sich in der Brotfabrik befindet und zu Beginn des Krieges seine Unterstützung für die Ukraine zum Ausdruck brachte. Vom 10. bis 12. März fand im LOT ein dreitägiges Festival statt, das der Symbolik der ukrainischen Kunst gewidmet war. Wir sprachen mit Lidiia Akryshora, einer der Kuratorinnen der performativen Ausstellung myt’.

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Another Side

Die erste Soloshow der jungen ukrainischen Künstlerin Anzhelika Palyvoda in Wien ist derzeit bei META legal unter dem Titel “Another Side” zu sehen.

Ihre Arbeiten aus den beiden stilistisch unterschiedlichen Serien “Another Side” und “Sticks & Stones”, die parallel in Wien entstanden sind, wo die Absolventin der National Academy of Art and Architecture in Kyiv seit Oktober letzten Jahres lebt und an der Universität für angewandte Kunst studiert, versteht Anzhelika Palyvoda als reflektierten Dialog: zwischen ihr und der neuen Umgebung im Spannungsfeld zwischen Anpassung und Fremdheit.

Die inhaltlichen Schwerpunkte der Arbeiten (Acryl auf Leinwand) der 2000 in Kyiv geborenen Künstlerin thematisieren Aspekte der aktuellen dramatischen Situation von Ukrainer:innen sowie von Palyvoda selbst: etwa Flucht und der komplizierte Prozess, ein neues Leben in einem fremden Land zu beginnen. Gleichzeitig spürt die Künstlerin in ihren meist in gedämpften Naturfarben gehaltenen Arbeiten, denen mitunter korrespondierende Satzfragmente wie “Ein Dach über dem Kopf haben” eingeschrieben sind, auch den Ähnlichkeiten, etwa in Sprache und Landschaft, zwischen Österreich und der Ukraine nach.

Die Ausstellung ist bis 23. September, Mo – Fr 9.00 – 18.00 zu sehen.

Voranmeldung unter philip.raffling@meta-legal.at erbeten

META legal
Universitätsring 12/1/13,
A-1010 Wien

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Großes Talent zur Selbstorganisation

Am 11. März 2023 wurde in der Wohnung der ukrainischen Künstler:innen Yevheniia Laptii und Svitlana Zhytnia in Graz die Ausstellung “Home Reflections” eröffnet. Ziel dieser Pop-up-Ausstellung war es, die Beziehungen zur lokalen Community auszubauen und auf die vielseitig talentierten Künstler:innen aus der Ukraine aufmerksam zu machen. Weitere Ausstellungen sind geplant.

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Selbstorganisierte Kunst- und Kulturinitiativen im Westen Österreichs

In diesem Monat möchten wir einige selbstorganisierte Kunst- und Kulturinitiativen im Westen Österreichs vorstellen, die von und für Ukrainer:innen, die aufgrund des russischen Krieges in der Ukraine vorübergehend vertrieben wurden und in Österreich Zuflucht gefunden haben, entwickelt wurden. Wie sind die Initiator:innen auf die Ideen für ihre Projekte gekommen? Mit welchen Hindernissen, aber auch inspirierenden Momenten sind sie konfrontiert? Wie sehen sie ihre Zukunft?
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Ruhepunkt im Herzen von Wien

Die Artist Residency im MuseumsQuartier Wien wurde aufgrund des Krieges auch für ukrainische Künstler:innen geöffnet
Ein Interview mit Larissa Agel, Geschäftsführerin und Projektmanagerin bei tranzit.at und Teil des Office Ukraine Teams

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“365 Days of full-scale War in Ukraine – Visual Diary” im MuseumsQuartier Wien

Seit dem 24. Februar 2022, dem Beginn des großflächigen Angriffskriegs Russlands gegen die Ukraine, hat sich das Leben aller Ukrainer:innen drastisch geändert: Viele haben die russische Besetzung ihrer Städte erlebt, viele haben Familienmitglieder und Freund:innen verloren, viele sind geflüchtet.
In der Veranstaltung am 24. Februar 2023 in der Arena21 im MuseumsQuartier haben wir anhand unterschiedlicher künstlerischer Medien beleuchtet, was Krieg für die Betroffenen bedeutet: Was erleben Menschen auf der Flucht? Wie erfahren sie ihre erste Zeit in einem fremden Land? Und wie kann das Zusammenleben zwischen Neuankommenden und Österreicher:innen vor dem Hintergrund so unterschiedlicher Lebenssituationen gelingen?

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Aktionen rund um den 24. Februar 2023

Um an den andauernden Krieg in der Ukraine zu erinnern, konnte das Office Ukraine Graz in Kooperation mit ukrainischen Künstler:innen einige Aktionen rund um den 24. Februar realisieren. Gemeinsam mit den ukrainischen Musikern Nick Acorne und Stas Kononov wurde ein Jingle vorbereitet, der am Jahrestag des 24. Februar ganztägig auf Radio Helsinki ausgestrahlt wurde. Eine Illustration der ukrainischen Künstlerin Valeria Lysenko wurde für das Titelbild der Ausgabe „Ein Jahr Krieg in der Ukraine” der Kleinen Zeitung ausgewählt. Unter dem Titel „Ein Stück Heimat” wurden vier ukrainische Künstler:innen rund um den 24. Februar in den Salzburger Nachrichten vorgestellt: Valeria Lysenko, Anton Malynovskyi, Polina Makarova, Elmira Shemsedinova.
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Kunst, die Krieg sichtbar macht

Nicht zu vergessen und Krieg nicht als Normalzustand hinzunehmen – unter diesem Motto initiierte und (ko)organisierte das Innsbrucker Büro von Office Ukraine eine Reihe von Projekten und Veranstaltungen anlässlich des 24. Februars. Auch ein Jahr nach Beginn der groß angelegten Invasion zählen Luftschutzwarnungen und Beschuss, Angst und Vertreibung nach wie vor zum Alltag der Ukrainer:innen.

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In unserer Februar-Ausgabe widmet sich Office Ukraine Wien der Ausstellung “While I float”, in der vier ukrainische Künstler:innen präsentiert wurden, sowie zwei von uns unterstützten Artist Residencies in Wien.
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Projekte November 2022 – Jänner 2023

Auch in den Wintermonaten hat das Office Ukraine Graz ukrainische Künstler:innen mit der lokalen und internationalen Kunstszene verknüpft. Sehr erfreulich kann davon berichtet werden, dass im Zeitraum von November 2022 bis Ende Jänner 2023 insgesamt acht Projekte in Form von performativen Lesungen, Theaterperformances, Ausstellungen und Workshops umgesetzt wurden, mit kunstGarten Graz, PLÜ 77/ Kunstraum der Gruppe 77, Kulturvermittlung Steiermark, Schaumbad – Freies Atelierhaus Graz, Theater im Bahnhof, Theater am Lend/uniT, ZOTL und The New Farm in San Francisco.

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Videokunst aus der Ukraine in Kooperation mit DOCK 20

In Solidarität mit ukrainischen Künstler:innen vergab das DOCK 20 – Kunstraum und Sammlung Hollenstein in Lustenau, Vorarlberg, in Zusammenarbeit mit Office Ukraine für das Jahr 2023 Arbeitsstipendien an die Videokünstlerinnen Nataliya Ilchuk und Maria Proshkowska. DOCK 20 widmet sich der Präsentation und Vermittlung zeitgenössischer Kunst und ihrer Diskurse mit einem Schwerpunkt auf jüngere Kunst. Mithilfe der Stipendien soll es den beiden Künstlerinnen ermöglicht werden, auch weiterhin im Bereich bildender Kunst tätig zu sein.

Arbeiten der beiden Künstlerinnen sind im Februar 2023 online und im Schaufenster des DOCK 20 nach Einbruch der Dunkelheit zu sehen.

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Liebe Leser:innen,

das Ende eines Jahres ist immer ein Moment, um Rückschau zu halten und zu analysieren, was gelungen ist und was nicht, was erreicht wurde und welche Aufgaben noch zu bewältigen sind.

Der Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine hat das Leben der ukrainischen Bevölkerung von einem Tag auf den anderen völlig verändert und viel Leid verursacht – und leider dauert diese Situation auch zehn Monate nach Kriegsbeginn an.

Im letzten Newsletter dieses Jahres möchten wir Ihnen einen kleinen statistischen Einblick in unsere bisherige Arbeit geben. Leider konnten wir nicht allen ukrainischen Künstler:innen, die uns kontaktiert haben, helfen. Aber wir hoffen trotzdem, dass sich für einige von ihnen ihre Lebenssituation aufgrund unserer Arbeit ein wenig zum Besseren gewendet hat.

Wir von Office Ukraine wünschen Ihnen allen schöne Feiertage und hoffen auf ein baldiges Ende des Krieges.

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Interviews mit den ukrainischen Künstlerinnen Mila Bereziuk, Danyilo Kovach, Olga Musina

Wir haben ukrainische Künstler:innen, die in Kontakt mit unseren Büros in Wien, Graz und Innsbruck stehen, nach ihren Erfahrungen in Österreich und ihren Strategien gefragt, die ihnen geholfen haben, ihre schwierige Lebenssituation zu bewältigen.

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Office Ukraine / Statistik

Gesamtstatistik /alle drei Offices

Bereits im März 2022 – wenige Tage nach Kriegsbeginn – gegründet

In den ca. 10 Monaten seit Bestehen: ca. 900 Anfragen von Künstler:innen. Gesamtzahl involvierter Personen (inkl. Familienmitgliedern): ca 1500

An den drei Standorten derzeit: ca. 10 Anfragen von Künstler:innen wöchentlich (sowohl aus Österreich, aber auch aus der Ukraine).

Zusammenarbeit mit über 170 österreichischen und internationalen Kulturinitiativen und Institutionen

In den Büros sind bisher über 300 Hilfsangebote unterschiedlicher Art aus der österreichischen Zivilgesellschaft / Kulturszene eingegangen, darunter auch solche, die sich an eine größere Personengruppe richten.

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Conclusio und Statements der ukrainischen Künstlerinnen Yuliia Makarenko, Kateryna Lysovenko, Polina Makarova

Conclusio 2022

Die Arbeit des Office Ukraine Graz konzentrierte sich in den zehn Monaten seit der Gründung im März zunächst auf grundlegende Unterstützungsleistungen für ukrainische Künstler:innen und Kulturschaffende, die vor dem Krieg nach Österreich geflohen sind. In dieser Zeit wurde aber schnell deutlich, dass die Einbindung der hierzulande Schutz Suchenden in das österreichische Kunstsystem ein wesentlicher Faktor ist. Aus diesem Geist heraus wurden zahlreiche Tandems gebildet – Verbindungen von Ukrainer:innen und Österreicher:innen (Organisationen wie Künstler:innen), die gemeinsam neue Projekte entwickelten bzw. noch weiter betreiben. Dies wäre ohne die Unterstützung unserer Freund:innen und Partner – lokale Institutionen und Organisationen – nicht möglich gewesen. Der Ansatz des Office Ukraine Graz geht weiters auch davon aus, dass eine Präsenz ukrainischer Kunst und Kultur nicht nur für Ukrainer:innen, sondern auch für andere in Österreich lebende Menschen eine Bereicherung darstellt.

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Statistik Office Ukraine Graz

Anfragen von ukrainischen Künstler:innen und Kulturschaffenden: bisher ca. 500 Personen

Beteiligung an Veranstaltungen, wie Ausstellungen, Projekte im öffentlichen Raum, Performances, Theaterproduktionen, Lesungen, Festivals, Vorträgen u.a.: ca. 50

Zu Veranstaltungen eingeladene ukrainische Künstler:innen und Kulturschaffende: über 80

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Conclusio und Statements der ukrainischen Künstlerinnen Kristina Kapeljuh, Veronika Kutseva, Oksana Radkevych

Seit Beginn der Initiative ist das Künstlerhaus Büchsenhausen die Office Ukraine Zweigstelle im Westen Österreichs, mit Fokus auf die Bundesländer Tirol, Salzburg und Vorarlberg. Das Büro in Innsbruck konnte bis dato zahlreiche Kooperationspartner:innen gewinnen und über 50 vertriebene Künstler:innen konkret in den Bereichen Vernetzung, Projekt- und Auftragsvermittlung, Unterkunftsvermittlung, Vermittlung von Arbeitsräumlichkeiten, Verteilung von Künstler:innenbedarf, Behördenkommunikation, Jobsuche, etc. unterstützen. Mit vielen weiteren Künstler:innen sind wir in Kontakt. Durch das Knüpfen von Kontakten zu lokalen Institutionen und Einzelpersonen sowie durch die Verteilung von Künstler:innenbedarf wird versucht, den Ankommenden die Möglichkeit zu geben, weiterhin künstlerisch tätig zu sein. Diese Vernetzungs- und Unterstützungsarbeit wird vom dreiköpfigen Team des Office Ukraine Innsbruck geleistet. In den vergangenen Monaten konnten wir auf die Unterstützung von über 30 institutionellen Partner:innen und zahlreichen Einzelpersonen zählen. Die Begegnungen und der Austausch mit ukrainischen Kunst- und Kulturschaffenden – zahlreiche persönliche Treffen, über 500 versendete E-Mails, unzählige Telefonate und Chat-Nachrichten – sowie mit neuen und alten lokalen Kooperationspartner:innen waren eine bereichernde Erfahrung.

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Office Ukraine-Taschen

Um dringend benötigte Spenden für Office Ukraine zu sammeln, die ukrainischen Künstler.innen und Kulturschaffenden in Notfällen unbürokratisch zur Verfügung gestellt werden können, hat Office Ukraine Baumwolltaschen produziert.

Die Stofftaschen mit insgesamt sechs von ukrainischen Künstler:innen entworfenen Sujets — jeweils zwei aus den Offices in Wien, Graz und Innsbruck — sind in den Offices erhältlich.

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“Meine einzige Waffe ist die Kunst”

Nina Khyzhna ist Theaterregisseurin, Choreografin und Performerin. Sie stammt aus der ostukrainischen Stadt Kharkiv und ist seit Oktober Stipendiatin des „Styrian Artists-in-Residence”-Programms des Landes Steiermark. Anfang November kehrte sie von einer Recherchereise für ihr Theaterprojekt mit dem Titel “Nobody died today” (etwa: Heute ist niemand gestorben) aus der Ukraine zurück. Die Theaterperformance soll vor Weihnachten drei Mal im Grazer Theater im Bahnhof (TiB) aufgeführt werden.

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Public Program im Belvedere 21: Öffentliches Gespräch mit dem Team von Office Ukraine

Im Rahmen des Public Program “Geschichten wiedererzählen: Kriege im ehemaligen Jugoslawien und Krieg in der Ukraine” war das Office Ukraine-Team am 15. Oktober zu einem Public Talk im Blickle Kino des Belvedere 21 eingeladen.

Die Teammitglieder Larissa Agel, Natalia Gurova, Susanne Jäger und Ania Zorh von Office Ukraine Wien erörterten im Gespräch mit Claudia Slanar / Belvedere 21 Entstehung, Struktur und Arbeit der Initiative und sprachen über Herangehensweise, Erfolge sowie die speziellen Herausforderungen des Projekts.

Im Anschluss diskutierten die Autorin und Übersetzerin Ksenyia Kharchenko und die Publizistin und Literaturkuratorin Oksana Shchur (beide aus Kyiv) ihre Erfahrungen über Flucht und das Leben im Exil.

Das von Nikita Kadan kuratierte und in Anwesenheit des Künstlers präsentierte Filmprogramm ukrainischer Künstler:innen und Filmemacher:innen – unter anderem mit Beiträgen von Antigonna, Yarema Malashchuk & Roman Himey und Yuri Leiderman – gestaltete sich zu einer eindringlichen, mitunter bedrückenden Tour de Force über das Leben in der Ukraine vor und während des Krieges, das bei den Zuseher:innen einen intensiven Eindruck hinterließ.

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Office Ukraine Innsbruck goes …

Auch aus dem Westen gibt es Einiges zu berichten: Nach einer Screening- und Vernetzungsveranstaltung Ende September dehnte Office Ukraine Innsbruck im Oktober seinen Tätigkeitsradius mit einem Besuch in Salzburg auf der Suche nach neuen Kooperationsmöglichkeiten und Projektideen weiter aus. Darüber hinaus nützte das Büro auch Radiowellen, um ukrainische Musik und Kunstdiskurse bekannt zu machen. Ebenfalls im Oktober fand das Residency-Programm 2022 der Landeshauptstadt Bregenz, in dessen Rahmen auf Vermittlung von Office Ukraine eine ukrainische Künstlerin nach Vorarlberg eingeladen wurde, mit einer Ausstellung seinen Abschluss. Für November dürfen wir bereits einen kleinen Ausblick auf eine Ausstellungseröffnung in der Neuen Galerie Innsbruck geben.

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WIR STELLEN VOR: Office Ukraine Wien

Seit dem Projektstart im März 2022 haben sich über 250 ukrainische Künstler:innen und Kulturschaffende (mit Familienmitgliedern insgesamt ca. 700 Personen) mit verschiedensten Anliegen an Office Ukraine Wien gewendet.

Im Fokus von Office Ukraine Wien steht die Vernetzung der geflüchteten ukrainischen Kulturschaffenden und Künstler:innen mit den vielfältigen Angeboten und Einladungen von solidarischen heimischen Kunstinstitutionen, Initiativen und der Zivilgesellschaft. So konnten schon vielen Künstler:innen Residencies und Ausstellungsbeteiligungen angeboten, Auftrittsmöglichkeiten und Locations für Musiker:innen sowie Schreibaufträge für Autor:innen in diversen Publikationen vermittelt werden. Das Angebot umfasste bisher aber auch Tätigkeiten bei (Musik) Festivals, Kulturveranstaltungen, sowie DJ- und VJ- Gigs.

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Wohnraum dringend gesucht

Die Suche nach Wohnraum für geflüchtete Ukrainer:innen gestaltet sich immer schwieriger.

“Good afternoon, we (my son 7 year old and my mother) are located near Klagenfurt. For two months I have been looking for housing all day long. I was in some relief organizations and it doesn’t work. In September the child needs to go to school.”

(Name ist Office Ukraine bekannt)

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Sommerveranstaltungen von Office Ukraine Wien

Tuesday@Secession Veranstaltungsreihe: Gemeinsamer Abend von Office Ukraine mit den ukrainischen Künstlerinnen Olia Fedorova und Svitlana Zhytnia am 19. Juli im Garten der Secession

Zur dritten Veranstaltung der Sommerreihe Tuesday@Secession am 19. Juli war Office Ukraine von der Secession eingeladen, den Abend im Garten der Secession zu gestalten.

Zum Auftakt des Abends gaben Teammitglieder von Office Ukraine Wien im Rahmen eines Talks einen Einblick in Entstehung, Struktur und Arbeitsweise des Hilfsprojekts.

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Neues aus Innsbruck

“Alles, was hier passiert, ist eine neue Erfahrung für mich.”
Ukrainische Künstler:innen in Feldkirch

Künstler:innen verschiedener Genres aus der Ukraine nahmen im Sommer 2022 in der VILLA MÜLLER in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, an der für sie konzipierten pARTner Residency teil. Durch die Vermittlung von Office Ukraine wurde hier geflüchteten Künstler:innen mit dem Schwerpunkt zeitgenössische und konzeptuelle Kunst Raum zum Wohnen, Arbeiten sowie für die Präsentation ihrer neu entstandenen Werke zur Verfügung gestellt. Darüber hinaus erhielten sie Anschluss an die lokale Kunst- und Kulturszene und Möglichkeiten zur Zusammenarbeit.

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Zahlreiche Vernetzungserfolge von Office Ukraine Graz

In den Sommermonaten von Juli und August gab es von Office Ukraine Graz insgesamt zehn Projekte mit ukrainischer Beteiligung, die in Kooperation mit Kunstinstitutionen und Initiativen aus der Steiermark und dem Burgenland umgesetzt wurden. Folgende vier Projekte sind Teil dieses Vernetzungserfolgs.

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Dieser Garten heilt mich und meinen Geist

Kateryna Lysovenko ist eine junge Künstlerin aus Kiew (Ukraine), die vor wenigen Monaten aufgrund des Krieges nach Graz kam. Über das Office Ukraine Graz wurde der Kontakt zum Universalmuseum Joanneum (UMJ) hergestellt und in weiterer Folge geeigneter Wohnraum gefunden. Mit ihren beiden Kindern und einer Katze lebt sie nun im Portierhaus des Schloss Eggenberg. In einem Gebäude im Schlosspark konnte sie sich ein Atelier einrichten, um ihrer künstlerischen Tätigkeit weiterhin nachgehen zu können.

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WIR STELLEN VOR: OFFICE UKRAINE INNSBRUCK

 

Seit Beginn der Initiative Office Ukraine gehört es zum Alltag im Künstlerhaus Büchsenhausen, Projektmöglichkeiten für ukrainische Künstler:innen mit Institutionen und Initiativen in Tirol, Vorarlberg und Salzburg auszuloten, Wohnmöglichkeiten zu finden und mit den vertriebenen Künstler:innen Gespräche über Alltagsfragen und dringend benötigte Dokumente zu führen. Abgesehen davon hat sich die Terrasse des Künstlerhauses als Arbeits- und Begegnungsort für Künstler:innen aus Ukraine etabliert.

Das Künstlerhaus Büchsenhausen in Innsbruck vereint normalerweise zwei Förderprogramme unter einem Dach: das international ausgerichtete Fellowship-Programm für Kunst und Theorie sowie ein Atelierprogramm für in Tirol ansässige Künstler:innen. Seit März 2022 ist es nun auch die Office Ukraine Zweigstelle im Westen Österreichs, mit Fokus auf die Bundesländer Tirol, Salzburg und Vorarlberg. Durch den Standort im Westen, wo wesentlich weniger Vertriebene aus Ukraine direkt ankommen als in Städten wie Wien und Graz, ist die Situation – und damit auch die Arbeitsschwerpunkte des Teams – ein wenig anders.

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Erfolgreiche Verteilaktion von Künstlerbedarf an ukrainische Künstler:innen

Aufgrund der vielfachen Anfrage nach leistbarem Künstlerbedarf von seiten ukrainischer Künstler:innen konnte Office Ukraine Wien seit Anfang Mai bei seinen Unterstützer:innen durch gezielte Aufrufe eine Vielzahl an Materialien sammeln.

Unter anderem Acryl-, Öl, Gouache – und Aquarellfarben, Ölkreide, Sprühdosen, Leinwände und Zeichenblöcke, Pinsel, Lehm, Gips, Stoffe usw. Mehr als 50 Künstler:innen, die mit Office Ukraine in Kontakt stehen, konnten im Rahmen einer Verteilaktion am 1. und 2. Juni von ihnen für ihre Arbeit benötigte Materialien abholten.

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Art and Craft Market: Wie es war

Office Ukraine versucht unterschiedliche (Kunst)initiativen und Künstler:innen zu unterstützen und ist der Ansicht, alle sollen gleich behandelt werden. Der von Hedwig Saxenhuber, der Initiatorin des Freiraum Ukraine in Zusammenarbeit mit dem MuseumsQuartier Wien und Office Ukraine organisierte Art und Craft Market fand vom 2. – 6. Juni im Außenraum des Museumsquartier Wien statt. Im Zentrum von Wien hatten mehr als dreißig nach Wien geflüchtete ukrainische Künstler:innen fünf Tage lang die Möglichkeit, ihre Arbeiten zu präsentieren.

Für die meisten der Teilnehmer:innen gestaltete sich der Markt zu einem außergewöhnlichen Ereignis, das ihnen die Gelegenheit bot, mit heimischen Kunstinteressierten und Künstlerkolleg:innen in Kontakt zu kommen und sich auch gegenseitig auszutauschen.

auses als Arbeits- und Begegnungsort für Künstler:innen aus Ukraine etabliert.

Das Künstlerhaus Büchsenhausen in Innsbruck vereint normalerweise zwei Förderprogramme unter einem Dach: das international ausgerichtete Fellowship-Programm für Kunst und Theorie sowie ein Atelierprogramm für in Tirol ansässige Künstler:innen. Seit März 2022 ist es nun auch die Office Ukraine Zweigstelle im Westen Österreichs, mit Fokus auf die Bundesländer Tirol, Salzburg und Vorarlberg. Durch den Standort im Westen, wo wesentlich weniger Vertriebene aus Ukraine direkt ankommen als in Städten wie Wien und Graz, ist die Situation – und damit auch die Arbeitsschwerpunkte des Teams – ein wenig anders.

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Das BMKÖS verlängert Hilfen für ukrainische Künstler:innen!

Das Sonder-Förderbudget Ukraine-Hilfe für Arbeitsstipendien und Projektförderungen für ukrainische Künstler:innen wird von derzeit 300.000 Euro auf 500.000 Euro erhöht. Zudem wird die Tätigkeit des „Office Ukraine – Shelter for Ukrainian Artists” bis Ende 2022 verlängert. Das „Office Ukraine” dient als Plattform, die geflüchteten Künstler:innen aus der Ukraine mit Institutionen, Personen und Initiativen aus Österreich miteinander vernetzt und unterschiedliche Hilfeleistungen anbietet.

Kunst- und Kulturstaatssekretärin Andrea Mayer besuchte das Office im MuseumsQuartier, um sich persönlich über die erfolgreiche Arbeit zu informieren.

Am Bild: Staatssekretärin Andrea Mayer mit den ukrainischen Künstler:innen Olena Maiorenko, Evgenia Pavlova, Olha Duhota und Vladislava Korotyk.

Fotos: HBF/Laura Heinschink

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Königin der Katzen

»Office Ukraine. Shelter for Ukrainian Artists« wurde ins Leben gerufen, um ukrainische Künstler:innen und Kulturarbeiter:innen aller Sparten, die nach Österreich geflüchtet sind, zu unterstützen. Das Projekt ist online und hat darüber hinaus drei Büros (Graz, Innsbruck, Wien). Bis jetzt wurden wir von ca. 400 ukrainischen Künstler:innen kontaktiert und einer großen Zahl konnten wir aktiv helfen. Dabei hilft das Office Ukraine den Künstler:innen bei der Vernetzung mit der lokalen Kunst- und Kulturszene und versucht Unterstützung zu finden. Darüber hinaus organisiert Office Ukraine regelmäßige offline Netzwerktreffen, in denen wir Menschen ermutigen, anderen zu helfen. In unserem Newsletter möchten wir Beispiele für die Zusammenarbeit zwischen österreichischen und ukrainischen Kulturarbeiter:innen aufzeigen und die Büros vorstellen. Nach wie vor brauchen zahlreiche Künstler:innen Unterstützung. Lassen wir sie nicht im Stich.

Tetiana Shtykalo ist eine Künstlerin aus Odessa (Ukraine), die sich aufgrund des russischen Angriffskriegs gezwungen sah, die Ukraine zu verlassen. Mit ihrem Ehemann und ihrem Hund verließ sie ihre Heimat und kam nach Österreich. »Office Ukraine. Shelter for Ukrainian Artists« half ihnen nicht nur, eine Unterkunft zu finden, sondern auch weiterhin ihrer künstlerischen Arbeit nachgehen zu können. Wir haben mit Tetiana während unseres letzten “Get Together”-Treffens, das alle zwei Wochen im FREIRAUM UKRAINE im MuseumsQuartier Wien stattgefunden hat, gesprochen.

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WIR STELLEN VOR: OFFICE UKRAINE GRAZ

Das Office Ukraine Graz konnte seit Projektbeginn im März 2022 mit mehr als 80 ukrainischen Künstler:innen und Kulturschaffenden verschiedener Sparten in Kontakt treten. Davon sind rund 30 Personen aktuell in Graz und Umland wohnhaft. Für etwa die Hälfte der Künstler:innen und Kulturschaffenden wurde über das Office Ukraine Graz kostenloser Wohnraum organisiert. Die andere Hälfte ist über private Netzwerke nach Graz gekommen und konnte die Wohnungsfrage eigenständig regeln. Neben dem Support bei der Klärung von Alltagsfragen – vom günstigen Einkauf bis zum Zahnarztbesuch – war das Office Ukraine Graz auch in der Organisation von Kinderbetreuungseinrichtungen tätig. Das Office Graz hat auch intensiv an der Vermittlung und Vernetzung der Schutz Suchenden mit kulturellen Einrichtungen bzw. der Herstellung von Kontakten zur örtlichen Kunstszene sowie an der Kontaktaufnahme zu Bildungseinrichtungen gearbeitet.

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STATISTISCHE DATEN

Office WIEN

240 Anfragen
110 Künstler:innen in Wien

Office GRAZ

80 Anfragen
30 Künstler:innen in Graz

Office INNSBRUCK

60 Anfragen
29 Künstler:innen in Innsbruck

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