Milliyet Sanat / The Gala Night for the benefit of the İKSV Young Artist Fund in London

The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) held a fundraising gala at the Natural History Museum in London to expand the Young Artist Fund, which supports young artists in producing their works. Many prominent figures from the business and art world attended the event, which was sponsored by Istanbul Portföy, with support from partners Eren Holding and VitrA. Mey | Diageo also contributed as a celebration sponsor.

Photo: Harry Pseftoudis

The evening, hosted by actor Halit Ergenç, also featured a special auction organized in collaboration with Christie’s. The night concluded with a performance by renowned Turkish singer Erol Evgin and his orchestra.

Photo: Harry Pseftoudis

As part of the gala, a fundraising auction was conducted by Beatriz Ordovas, International Director at Christie’s, featuring works by notable artists such as Erol Akyavaş, Nejad Devrim, Osman Dinç, Nuri İyem, Alev Ebüzziya Siesbye, and Fausto Zonaro. The auction raised around £174,000 in additional support for the Young Artist Fund, thanks to donations from İlona Akyavaş, Veronica Devrim, Osman Dinç, Alev Ebüzziya Siesbye, Osman Nuri İyem, Gizem Kahya İyem, and former İKSV Board of Trustees Chairman Münir Ekonomi. With the funds collected from the auction and ticket sales, a total of approximately £360,000 was added to the Young Artist Fund. This fund, established by İKSV in 2022 during the foundation’s 50th anniversary, aims to support the works of young artists participating in its festivals.

İKSV Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Bülent Eczacıbaşı, Photo: Harry Pseftoudis

In his speech, İKSV Chairman Bülent Eczacıbaşı said: “When the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts established the Young Artist Fund in 2022, we sought to bring a new approach to our efforts to support art production. Our goal, as we celebrated the foundation’s 50th anniversary, was to look to the future, create a lasting impact, and make meaningful contributions to cultural heritage. The success of the projects carried out over the past two years with this fund not only makes us proud but also shows how important it is to focus on young artists. Thanks to the contributions of the individuals and institutions who supported this evening, we will expand the scope of the İKSV Young Artist Fund, reaching young artists in need of support from all over Turkey. We are excited to witness new voices and innovative designs come to life. We look forward to the new period of our Young Artist Fund with great enthusiasm."

İstanbul Portföy Kurucu Ortağı Tufan Deriner, Photo: Harry Pseftoudis

Tufan Deriner, Co-Founder of Istanbul Portföy, added: “Since 1973, İKSV has enriched our lives in every aspect of the arts, from theater to festivals, music to biennials. Supporting young artists on their journey to tell their own stories is incredibly valuable, and it is very meaningful for us to walk this path with the foundation. As Istanbul Portföy, we believe in the power of being original and dynamic, and listening to different voices. It is thrilling to know that by the end of this evening, we will have made a difference in the lives of talented young people.”