Navigating the War as Artists in Ukraine: A Practical Resource
Ukraine
Drawing on sociological research methodologies and the personal voices of artists who have found themselves in new circumstances due to the war, Navigating the War as Artists in Ukraine: A Practical Resource–produced by the Ukrainian NGO Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA NGO), and available in Ukrainian and English–is inspired by ARC’s Safety Guide for Artists.
“This publication arises from the need to share valuable experiences of navigating crises with those who need it now, as well as with those who want to prepare for an uncertain future. However, the experience of war cannot be fully encapsulated by a set of instructions, no matter how comprehensive. A crucial part of this publication consists of case studies and the voices of artists—personal accounts by individuals who have faced various challenges during the full-scale war and continue to endure the crisis. Their experiences demonstrate that an event of this magnitude, which transforms the world on multiple levels, compels people to act beyond prescribed guidelines,”the MOCA NGO team commented.
Developed in consultation with artists who have experienced the war in Ukraine, this guide, produced by MOCA and developed with vital support from ARC, consolidates invaluable insights gained from interviews with Ukrainian visual artists who have been awarded ARC’s Resilience grant. This resource covers a wide range of critical themes, including personal safety, navigating life under occupation, evacuating oneself and one’s artistic works, mental health in wartime, and essential strategies for continuing artistic practice amidst the ongoing conflict. This collaborative effort underscores the unwavering commitment to supporting Ukrainian artists in their resilience and creative survival during this devastating time. 80 artist grantees have shared their lived experiences with Editor Lisa Koreichuk and contributors Yuliia Hnat, Olga Balashova, Ilya Zabolotnyi, Les Vynogradov, and Ostap Yashchuk.
The guide was curated by art journalist and editor Lisa Korneichuk. Contributors to the research include Elmira Ablyalimova, Anatoliy Levchenko, Kateryna Lysovenko, Pavlo Makov, Yulia Manukyan, Natalia Matsenko, Clemens Poole, Max Robotov, Stanislav Turina, Tamara Turliun, Tetyana Filevska, as well as artists who are recipients of ARC’s Emergency and Resilience grants, made possible by the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
The project was created in partnership with the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC), the Ukrainian Institute, the MZ Hub research center, Ukrainian Emergency Art Fund (UEAF) and the Raphael Lemkin Society. The illustrations in the publication were created by artists and sourced from the collection of the Ukrainian Museum of Contemporary Art (UMCA) based on the Wartime Art Archive, as well as from artists participating in the support programs of Artists at Risk Connection (ARC).
ABOUT MOCA NGO
The non-governmental organisation “Museum of Contemporary Art” (MOCA NGO) is a non-profit organisation aimed at creating a new type of professional contemporary art museum institution in Ukraine, serving as a crucial element in the advancement of the art ecosystem. Founded in 2020, the organisation brings together and engages artists, cultural workers, and experts who work with contemporary art in Ukraine.
ABOUT ARC
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) is an international organization committed to promoting and advancing artistic freedom worldwide. We work to protect artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, often connected to their identities or roles within their communities. ARC helps artists at risk overcome challenges like persecution, censorship, threats, and violence from both state and non-state actors.
ABOUT the Ukrainian Institute
The Ukrainian Institute is a state institution of Ukraine that represents Ukrainian culture worldwide and shapes a positive image of Ukraine abroad. Its mission is to strengthen Ukraine’s international and domestic agency through cultural diplomacy.
Press Contact:
Kateryna Prokopova
Communications Manager
MOCA NGO
kateryna.prokopova@gmail.com
press.moca.org.ua@gmail.com