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Our Mission 

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 ArtSocial Foundation is on a mission to improve the physical, mental and emotional health of disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people with special needs, life-limiting health conditions or psychological trauma through arts and arts therapies. 

We fulfil our mission by providing grants for specific projects or organisational development to charities in the UK and Russia that share our goals.  

We understand how challenging it is for charities, especially for grassroots small organisations to raise funds and awareness and we remain committed to working together to achieve the most significant impact possible. 

 
 
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Our Motivation

Having seen first-hand the positive impact of art on the mental, social and physical wellbeing of those in need, Alina Uspenskaya set up ArtSocial Foundation in 2015. 

Since then, our board and patrons have witnessed many inspirational stories of children whose lives have been transformed thanks to the power of art. We have seen deeply traumatised people finding a relief from their pain thanks to art therapy. We have watched a girl with severe learning disabilities find confidence by discovering her voice through music therapy. We have met young people with profound disabilities who have discovered their unique talents thanks to trying out theatre.

We are especially committed to supporting the work of grassroots charities that work in disadvantaged communities. The charities working in the field of arts therapy are often oversubscribed and underfunded. We therefore see it as our mission to support them beyond just funding projects, but to help their organisational development and raise awareness of their work. 

 


Our Projects

Foundation Projects
Art Therapy for Children and their Parents at Lighthouse Children’s Hospice in Moscow
Art Therapy for Children and their Parents at Lighthouse Children’s Hospice in Moscow

From September 2020 we have been helping to provide art therapy to children and their parents at one of Russia’s leading children’s hospices.

Art Therapy for Young Patients and their Families at St. Mary's Hospital Paediatric Department
Art Therapy for Young Patients and their Families at St. Mary's Hospital Paediatric Department

From November 2019, we launch a programme of transformative art psychotherapy for young patients at St. Mary’s hospital paediatric department.

Music School for Children with Special Needs
Music School for Children with Special Needs

ArtSocial Foundation continues to fund the music therapy programme provided by Otakar Kraus Music School for children and young people with physical, learning, neurological or psychological difficulties.

Art Workshops at the V&A Museum for Children with Special Needs
Art Workshops at the V&A Museum for Children with Special Needs

ArtSocial is excited to continue supporting the V&A museum's multi-sensory and interactive sessions for children with special educational needs and disability.

Art Competition for Children with Disabilities and Their Families Across Russia
Art Competition for Children with Disabilities and Their Families Across Russia

This summer we support an inclusive art competition organised by our parter - a Moscow non-for-profit Koleso Obzreniya (‘Observation Wheel’) in partnership with 19 museums across Russia. The project brings together more than 300 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and without.

Paediatric Looking Forward Days for Young People Living with Long-Term Health Conditions
Paediatric Looking Forward Days for Young People Living with Long-Term Health Conditions

From April 2019, we joined forces with Imperial Health Charity and St. Mary’s hospital to provide young people living with long-term health conditions with a positive space to address the issues surrounding their diagnosis through art.

Lullaby Hour at St Mary’s and Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Lullaby Hour at St Mary’s and Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Neonatal Intensive Care Units

In April 2019 we teamed up with Imperial Health Charity and Music in Hospitals and Care to bring therapeutic live music to premature babies and babies with complex medical needs and their parents in one of the largest neonatal units in the UK.

Art Workshops for Pupils from North East London
Art Workshops for Pupils from North East London

We are partnering with Art Night for the fourth year – with our support students from North East London spent a month with artist Shiraz Bayjoo to co-create a short film that will be screened during Art Night’s one night only festival on 22 June 2019. The project has been co-commissioned by Art Night and Iniva.

Art Project at Royal London Hospital Encourages Communication Across the Ages
Art Project at Royal London Hospital Encourages Communication Across the Ages

We are supporting Art Night Legacy and Vital Arts to run a series of art workshops to encourage communication and offer support between children and adults in the UK’s busiest children’s hospital.

Contemporary Art Workshops for Children at the London Royal Hospital 
Contemporary Art Workshops for Children at the London Royal Hospital 

We are helping children in the UK’s largest children’s hospital to engage with contemporary art and reflect on their own experiences.

Art Workshops for School Children in South London 
Art Workshops for School Children in South London 

In 2017/18 we are helping teenagers from six South London schools engage with contemporary art at the South London Gallery by supporting children’s charity Children & the Arts.

Tate's Schools and Teachers Programme
Tate's Schools and Teachers Programme

We are helping Tate deliver its UK-wide Schools and Teachers programme.

Arts and Creative Activities for Children in Safopnovo Orphanage in Russia
Arts and Creative Activities for Children in Safopnovo Orphanage in Russia

In 2017-18 academic year we are supporting a programme of activities for the children of Safonovo Orphanage.

Art and Drama Therapy for Adopted Children and Parents
Art and Drama Therapy for Adopted Children and Parents

We support the programme of Here & Now charity for adopted children and families to help them to overcome trauma through creative expression.

Art Therapy For Refugee Families
Art Therapy For Refugee Families

We are an Official Partner of Flourish Foundation project of art psychotherapy at Ritsona Refugee Camp, helping Syrian refugees overcome their experience of conflict.

Theatre Studio Helping People with Mental Health Challenges
Theatre Studio Helping People with Mental Health Challenges

We support the Integrated Theatre Company Kroog II in helping children and adults with special needs acquire critical life skills.

Helping School Children of South London Engage with a Festival of the Arts
Helping School Children of South London Engage with a Festival of the Arts

We are proud to be an Official Partner of the pioneering Creative School Engagement Project at Art Night London 2016 - London’s first night-time arts festival.

 

Art Therapy for Children in Hospitals
Art Therapy for Children in Hospitals

ArtSocial Foundation is happy to support the art therapy program of Podari Zhizn Charity (Gift of Life) for children suffering from cancer.

Creative Studio in an Orphanage for Children with Special Needs
Creative Studio in an Orphanage for Children with Special Needs

We helped to build a creative studio for orphans with special needs in Kaluga Region of Russia.

Educational Project in Moscow for Orphaned Teenagers
Educational Project in Moscow for Orphaned Teenagers

We have funded an unforgettable experience in Moscow for teenagers from regional orphanages, organised by Here & Now charity.

 

 From The Founder

ArtSocial, Art Social Foundation, ArtSocial Club

I passionately believe in the power of art to unite and transform people’s lives.

During my childhood in an industrial city in the north-west of Russia, art unlocked a different world for me – a world in which I could dream and aspire to a full and diverse life.

I want young people to have the same opportunity. I am especially committed to helping disadvantaged and vulnerable young people overcome social, economic or health challenges, using the power of art. 

I believe that arts can unite people and I am excited about our Patrons Club – a community of like-minded people who are passionate about arts and philanthropy.

Together with our Patrons and supporters we work to help more young people experience the power of art.

- Alina Uspenskaya, Founder and Director

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OUR TEAM

Trustees
Founder & Director
Founder & Director

Alina Uspenskaya set up ArtSocial to bring together like-minded people with a shared belief in the power of the arts. Since moving to the UK in 2009, Alina has played an active role in the London art scene, supporting London's cultural institutions and has been a member of the Tate's Russian and Eastern Europe Acquisition Committee. She holds degrees in Law and Art History and is currently studying for an MSc degree in Charity Organisation Management at Cass Business School.

Trustee
Trustee

Anna Siakotos is a corporate lawyer with over 15 years of experience at international law firms and multinational corporations in Moscow, New York and London. She holds degrees in law from Moscow University and New York University, and a diploma in art history from Christie’s Education. Anna joined us as part of her aim to inspire children and enhance their lives through art.

Trustee
Trustee

Areta Hryschuk is Head of Art at a London prep school and has taught visual arts and art history for 10 years - during which she has written three primary school curriculums. Areta holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in Canada. She is passionate about ArtSocial's mission of making creative therapies and experiences accessible to children.

Trustee
Trustee

Alina Davey is a Senior Director at Sotheby’s and an international art market specialist. Since 2004, she has worked as a key member of Sotheby’s Russian desk, advising Russian and CIS clients on their art acquisitions. Alina believes in the power of art therapy and education to create life-lasting effects.

Trustee
Trustee

Jackie Hall is an experienced art therapist who works with children and young people. Additionally, Jackie has 30 years experience working in policy and programme development for vulnerable children. Jackie joined ArtSocial to help expand art therapy into areas where it is needed, but where there often isn’t the funding.

Trustee
Trustee

Lali Margania is an independent contemporary art dealer working with emerging, as well as established artists. Previously, she ran a contemporary art gallery, promoting a creative dialogue between East and West. She holds degrees in finance and economics, art history, and cultural studies. Lali joined us, as she believes in the transformative power of the arts in the lives of individuals, communities, and society at large.

Charity Programmes Advisor
Charity Programmes Advisor

Liza Oliver is an international marketing, communications and PR specialist with a decade of experience. Since 2014, she has worked in the UK’s non-profit sector and recently completed a MSc in Grantmaking, Philanthropy and Social Investment at Cass Business School. Liza joined us in 2016 to further her lifelong interest in the arts and help transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.

Content Management / Managing Assistant
Content Management / Managing Assistant

Roberta Hollis transitioned into the non-profit sector after five years of working for fashion publications including ELLE, I-D and Refinery29. She holds a degree in Journalism and is currently studying a Masters in Anthropology and Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London.

 

Our Legal Documents & Annual Reports

 
 
 
 

Our Projects Gallery

We captured some moments of the projects we have supported

 

Video Gallery

We captured some moments of the projects we have supported