Halfway Through 2025: A Mid-Year Update from Aripa Arte

As we pass the halfway point of 2025, all of us at Aripa Arte are taking a moment to reflect on the progress we've made—and to look forward to what’s next.

One of the highlights of this year has been our Grant Program. We were thrilled to support five talented artists through this initiative, funding projects that span from independent filmmaking to solo exhibitions. Working with these creatives has been a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Their dedication, vision, and resilience continue to inspire us, and we’re proud to have played a small part in helping them move forward in their artistic journeys.

We’ve also been fortunate to collaborate with Art Movements, a Romanian nonprofit based in Bucharest, for their second annual drawing competition. The event, held last fall, saw a tremendous response from the local community. The awarded artists produced truly compelling work, and Aripa Arte was honored to contribute to the prize fund and help support the accompanying exhibition.

Looking ahead, we're far from slowing down. Our March Gala fundraiser was a wonderful success, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We’re now focused on distributing those funds wisely to make the greatest possible impact. In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching an online class and discussion group, finalizing plans for new collaborations, and selecting the next recipients of our 2026 grant cycle.

Of course, this year hasn’t been without its challenges. Like many nonprofits, we’ve felt the effects of funding cuts, rising costs, and shifting logistics—especially when it comes to international collaboration. But these obstacles have only strengthened our resolve. Aripa Arte was never meant to be an easy path—we exist to support Romanian artists through uncertain times, and to build bridges between their creativity and growing audiences in the United States.

Thank you for being part of this mission. To learn more about our programs and upcoming initiatives, please visit www.aripaarte.org. If you’d like to make a contribution, your support goes a long way: Donate via PayPal

Here’s to the second half of the year—more art, more connection, and more community.