Women artists in exile and those with migratory or diasporic backgrounds have all shaped European cultural history in ways that institutional practices and archives have been slow to reflect. BRIDGE, a two-year project (2026-2028) bringing together City of Women (Ljubljana), Kunsthaus Graz, and AWARE, seeks to address this gap. Rooted in feminist values that have guided the three organisations for decades, BRIDGE aims to reimagine curatorial and archival practices so they reflect a broader range of experiences and histories.

Through research and artist residencies, an international exhibition in Ljubljana, and a symposium connecting Graz and Ljubljana, this project will create  space for collaboration, dialogue and knowledge exchange. BRIDGE will also develop guidelines for more inclusive curatorial and archival practices, that foreground underrepresented voices in the cultural and creative sectors and to recognise the contributions made by these artists to Europe’s artistic development. As part of this project, 14 new biographies on the AWARE website will be produced alongside seven in-depth interviews with artists whose experiences have been marked by exile, migration, or diaspora.

Drawing on critical revisions of the participating organisations’ archives, artists’ perspectives, and examples of inspiring practices from across Europe, while sustaining dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders, the project aims to foster more inclusive approaches to documenting, disseminating and exhibiting artistic practices. In doing so, it aims to promote a richer understanding of Europe’s cultural landscape and the diverse histories and experiences that shape it.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.