The Arts and Culture Program draws on the power of culture, in particular artistic and expressive culture, to help build and maintain open societies. ACNP carries out its mission principally by working to strengthen the autonomous cultural sector as an essential element of civil society.

In 2007, The Arts and Culture Network Program worked in the Caucasus, Inner Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Balkans to develop, empower, and build the capacity of organizations and individuals that promoted cultural exchange, understanding, and tolerance through the arts.

Read more about Arts and Culture Program 2007 activities.

The Arts and Culture program works with coordinators in the Soros foundations to locally administer arts and culture initiatives. The needs and conditions vary dramatically among the countries in the network.

Arts and Culture Program coordinators.

From its inception, the strategic policy of the Arts and Culture Network Program of the Open Society Institute, has been proactive, inspirational, and a catalyst for Soros foundation cultural activities, multifaceted in approach and inclusive of all groups of people and disciplines of artistic expression.

Read more about the Arts and Culture Program history and past components.