Art

“A nation stays alive when its culture stays alive”

MaK develops partnerships between artists in the UK and Kosovo to provide increased strength and opportunity through collaboration. We also lead art projects that further our purpose including exhibitions (Fragile State) and the creation and installation of sculpture in the Manchester Peace Park in Kosovo.

• 25 British artists have worked in Kosova with MaK, many returning regularly

• art has been central to 8 annual children’s summer clubs including: painting, design, clay,  the creation of a ‘Wild Zone’ using stone and natural materials in the Peace Park, dance, drama and movement. Click to see our 1 week 2012 collaboration with actors who volunteered to join the summer club from Chickenshed inclusive theatre company. 

• children’s art competitions

• £43,000 raised for MaK art projects

• sculpture and 9 art flags installed on Manchester Peace Park

• 14 exhibitions presented in the UK and Kosova including the major UK exhibition ‘Fragile State – Art from Kosova’

• formation of Vizioni i Paqes – a collective of young artists

• support for ‘Bogujevci – Visual History’ a UK led exhibition shown in the National Galleries of Kosova and Albania

• eight visits of groups of Kosovar artists to U.K  including Castle Fine Art Foundry, Eden Project and Yorkshire Sculpture Park residencies

• sixteen series of workshops organized in Kosova and U.K

• ceramic poetry project including the construction  and successful firing of a wood fired kiln

• strengthening of bridges and networks

This project seemingly drips water on a barren landscape.  However Kosova is not barren. It is a hotbed of creativity. Its artists are passionately committed to supporting recovery. MaK arts involvement has encouraged artists, teachers and local and national leaders, stimulating innovation and creativity.  Kosova has little industry. In the absence of manufacturing valuing intellectual property and developing its burgeoning creative industries as economic drivers could see Kosova thrive and blossom rather than collapse within itself  –  the ‘black hole’ of Europe.

The Manchester Peace Park will create spaces for play, exercise, dance, conversation, music, art and quiet reflection, and will inspire confidence and hope in the community for the future.  The art project is an essential and integral part of the Manchester Peace Park in Kosova and of MaK.

For a summary of MaK’s art programme see  MaK Art report 2004 -2011

© Manchester Aid to Kosovo 2025.