What is the Ukrainian Institute and what does the Performing Arts department do?
The Ukrainian Institute is a public institution under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promoting Ukrainian culture abroad through governmental bodies and cultural institutions. The Performing Arts at the Ukrainian Institute covers theatre, dance, puppet arts, circus and other activities under the performing arts umbrella. The team consists of Head of Performing Arts Iryna Nirsha and Programme Manager Asia Pavlenko.
What formats does the Institute work with?
The Performing Arts has several working formats: showcases of Ukrainian productions at international festivals, translation and staging of Ukrainian drama abroad, as well as study visits and other capacity-building initiatives. As part of the new strategy, the team will open up opportunities for coproduction. The formats for this collaboration are currently being trialled and will be clearly defined in 2027–2028.
- What types of projects exist within the Performing Arts?
The team works with two types of projects: large-scale projects initiated by the team itself, and support for existing international collaborations. In both cases, the Ukrainian Institute’s expertise and curatorial function are central.
- Where does the Institute’s funding come from?
From the state budget of Ukraine. External funding is only raised for large-scale projects initiated by the Institute itself. Where possible, open calls are announced; otherwise, individual negotiations are held, taking into account the project’s geography, format, and timeline.
- What types of support does the Ukrainian Institute offer?
The Institute provides three key types of support: expert, financial, and informational. Expert support may include recommendations regarding selected projects, partners, and participants.
It is important to note that due to the large number of projects the Institute is involved in, informational and financial support is primarily provided when collaboration has been planned in advance and the Ukrainian Institute plays a curatorial role or contributes sectoral expertise to some degree.
- What kinds of projects are eligible for support?
The Institute focuses on three key criteria. First, strategic sustainability: it is important to understand how a project will develop over two to three years, what connections it will build, and who it will engage. Second, geographic relevance: the project should relate to countries outlined in the Ukrainian Institute’s strategy for 2026–2030. Third, timeline: planning for the following year takes place between September and December, so it is advisable to reach out well in advance. Given the size of its budget and team, the Performing Arts programmes carry out an average of 6–7 projects a year. These include projects initiated by the Ukrainian Institute and support for existing international collaborations.
- Why do these requirements exist?
Working with a state institution involves aligning priorities, documents, and deadlines. The department team consists of only two people, which makes a partner’s ability to independently manage a project critically important. We recommend coming with clearly articulated ideas, transparent budgets, and experienced team.
- What if I lack experience or connections?
We encourage you to apply for capacity-building projects first — and then return as a partner.
- Where can I find out about open calls and current opportunities?
Open calls are published on the Ukrainian Institute’s social media channels — Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram (most often as stories). The team also maintains an regularly updated contact database to inform participants of previous calls about new opportunities. The application period for open calls is typically two weeks. Each open call has a specific set of criteria based on the project’s content and partners’ needs.
- I have ready-made content but no resources for large-scale projects — what should I do?
The Institute maintains a catalogue of Ukrainian projects recommended to international partners. You are welcome to submit materials for consideration. Please note that the catalogue is intended for an international audience, so English-language descriptions, riders, and subtitles will be required.
- How can I get in touch?
Write to us at [email protected]