In 2024, the Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW) celebrates 20 years of advancing feminist causes. As part of this milestone, we are sharing 20 key moments from our history. Enjoy reading!
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In 2017, BFW launched the first-ever „Fund for Art Projects by Women Artists“ in Bulgaria. This initiative was designed to support women in the professional arts and cultural sector, providing them with both a platform for expression and access to financial resources—opportunities that are often unavailable to them.
Beyond funding, BFW sought to expose the stark gender disparities in the arts. A study conducted in key Bulgarian galleries, including the National Gallery, revealed alarming statistics: 91% of the works in the permanent exhibition and 78% of solo exhibitions were by men, while only 16% of the National Gallery’s collection featured works by women.
These findings inspired Dobromira Terpesheva’s curatorial study „Where Are Women in the Whole Picture?“, which highlighted the overwhelming male dominance in Bulgaria’s visual history. Women appeared primarily as muses or mothers, rather than as protagonists in the visual narrative.
The First Edition: „Everything is (Just) Fine“
ПBetween 2018 and 2020, the Fund supported nine projects by 11 talented female artists, selected from over 100 applications. The outcome was the groundbreaking exhibition „Everything is (Just) Fine“—an innovative and provocative showcase spanning three galleries. Its opening transformed into a dynamic vernissage evening, where audiences moved between locations, exploring diverse perspectives on the role of women in Bulgaria and beyond.
Installation „Wooden Wedding“ by Nevena Ekimova for the exhibition „Everything is (Just) Fine“ (2020). Photographer: Rosina Pencheva.
The Second Edition: „Needles in a Haystack“
The overwhelming response to the first edition led to a record number of applications in 2022. The theme „State of Emergency“ inspired 10 projects by 13 artists, whose works became the core of the exhibition „Needles in a Haystack“, curated by Svetlana Kuyumdzhieva and presented at the National Gallery / Palace. The exhibition drew thousands of visitors in the summer of 2023 and left a lasting impression, accompanied by a specially published bilingual catalog featuring curatorial texts and analyses.
Moments from the opening of the exhibition „Needles in a Haystack“ (2023). Photographer: Rosina Pencheva.
The works from both editions of the Fund for Art Projects by Women Artists not only captivated audiences but also received numerous international awards. These projects continue to inspire and prove that when women are given a stage, their voices can transform the art world.
What’s Next?
We are launching the third edition of the Fund—a two-year program that will support 10 Bulgarian female artists with scholarships. Their works will be presented in 2026 as part of a rich public program.
In March 2024, the world-renowned artistic collective Guerrilla Girls will visit Bulgaria with a large-scale exhibition and series of events, organized by the Bulgarian Federation of Women in partnership with the National Gallery.
Entitled „The Art of Behaving Badly“, this retrospective exhibition will showcase the group’s most iconic works, including the legendary poster: „Do Women Have to Be Naked to Enter the Metropolitan Museum?“
Key Dates
March 6, 2024 – Official opening of the exhibition at the National Gallery / Square 500, featuring iconic posters, videos, installations, and new works inspired by the Bulgarian context.
March 7, 2024 – Public lecture by the founders of Guerrilla Girls, known by the pseudonyms Frida Kahlo and Käthe Kollwitz, at the National Gallery / Square 500.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience art as a form of social criticism, humor, and creativity—and even „be naughty“ yourself!
How Can You Support Us?
Support the third edition of the „Fund for Art Projects by Women Artists“ with a donation, through our campaign on Platformata, or with a direct donation to the Bulgarian Federation of Artists.
Every donation is an investment in a more just and inclusive society. Every supported artist and every work created within the Fund is a step toward breaking down the invisible but deeply entrenched barriers that women in the art world have been fighting against for centuries.
Discover the Inspiring Stories Behind the Fund
Read the interview with the first individual donor, who believed in the Fund’s mission back in 2018. Veronika Puncheva – „Societies that empower women are more successful and enjoy greater well-being.“
Find out how Legrand Bulgaria supported the second edition of the Fund and why this commitment matters to them. Vanya Ivanova – „Achieving gender equality requires consistency, unwavering determination, and commitment from each and every one of us.“
Meet the Artists from the First Edition
- Albena Baeva – A story about art as a space for new ideas and experiments.
- Veneta Androva – On creative challenges and bold visions.
- Boryana Rossa – Exploring social roles and identity through art.
- Alla Georgieva – Satire and humor as a tool for overcoming stereotypes.
- Nevena Ekimova – Intimate life stories, refracted through the visual prism.
