Phileas is an independent philanthropic organisation based in Vienna, Austria, that raises private funding to support ambitious projects within the field of contemporary art. We work together with artists, institutions and Biennials to enable the production, exhibition and acquisition of art for public collections. Since January 2015, Phileas has raised more than 1,000,000 EUR to support projects by Austrian artists abroad, and by international artists within Austria.
At a recent meeting of our members, funding was confirmed for the following projects in 2017:
MAK, Vienna, for an exhibition of Thomas Bayrle
Secession, Vienna, for an exhibition of R. H. Quaytman (including the restoration of two Old Master paintings from the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum)
das weisse haus, Vienna, for its graduate curatorial internship programme
steirischer herbst, Graz, for an exhibition and performance by Walid Raad
Furthermore, Phileas has in recent months established collaborations with several of the world’s leading biennials, in order to encourage and support the participation of Austrian and Austrian-based artists. As a result, we are pleased to confirm funding for the following additional projects in 2017:
78th Whitney Biennial, New York, for the participation of Ulrike Müller
documenta 14, Kassel and Athens, for the participation of one artist (name to be announced)
57th Venice Biennale, for the participation of two artists in the Central Pavilion (names to be announced)
14th Biennale de Lyon, for the participation of one artist (name to be announced)
15th Istanbul Biennial, for the participation of one artist (name to be announced)
1st Lahore Biennale, for the participation of Kay Walkowiak
Additional support for these projects has been provided by the Austrian Federal Chancellery.
Phileas also organises an annual research trip for international curators and critics to artists’ studios and institutions in Austria. The next research trip will take place in November 2017.
Phileas is funded by the annual contributions of its members, who are actively involved in the development of each project from studio to exhibition to acquisition.
Phileas was founded in late 2014 by Jasper Sharp and Moritz Stipsicz. Its programme is managed by Stefanie Reisinger and Bianca Boscu. For further details, please see www.phileasprojects.org or contact office [at] phileasprojects.org.
