Join artist and curator Evelina Šimkutė, along with Rūta Stepanovaitė, to discuss the Šilainiai Project, as well as other socially engaged practices.

As the Curator for the Kaunas European Capital of Culture 2022, Evelina will also discuss her plans to develop a community platform for Kaunas.

Hosted by the Central Saint Martins Foundation Programme. This event was made possible by the Lithuanian Culture Institute. the Lithuanian Embassy in the United Kingdom, the Lithuanian Culture Council and Kaunas 2022.

Arrival from 16:30, start time 16:45.

Directions to our Archway Campus can be found here.

Further Information:
Evelina Šimkutė is an artist, founder and creative director of Šilainiai Project. She is also curator of Kaunas European Capital of Culture 2022 community platform.

Rūta Stepanovaitė, art manager, director of art management platform, ‘Arthesis’ and recently appointed director of Kaunas Artists’ House.

The Šilainiai Project is one of the first to engage with the community in the Šilainiai micro-district – a residential area of multi-story blocks which is culturally separated from the city centre. Since 2016, artists have been invited to stay with Šilainiai residents within the micro-district to develop and create new artworks. The artists are encouraged to make further connections with the local community by exhibiting their work publicly, working with local schools/ community groups and by participating in open meetings at the public library of Šilainiai.

The project engages with the local community, across the various generations living in the Šilainiai micro-district, through open creative social platforms, community and participatory arts and more.

International artist residencies are one of the many activities led by Evelina Šimkutė in Šilainiai, which try to reveal the cultural identity of Šilainiai, one of the last micro-district developed in the Soviet era.

Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022 is focused on communities and is currently preparing projects that aim to discover, train and empower local creatives, as well as encourage both local and international artists to engage with community-based practices.

Event is free, but please book tickets on Eventbrite here.