HOA Gallery is redesigned as a non-profit initiative

Moving away from its commercial gallery roots, HOA (Horizon of Arts) Cultural Society ushers in a shift in identity reflecting a transformation into a broader, institutional vision. The change embraces ideas of future, legacy, and collective growth, while intentionally moving away from colonial notions of ownership or staking territories in one’s name. The aim is to foster an inclusive and expansive space that transcends individuality, opening up possibilities for a shared creative horizon. HOA Cultural Society aims to foster inclusivity and cultural, gender, social and market equity for Brazilian artists especially women and those from underserved social backgrounds.

The HOA Cultural Society’s 2025 calendar aims to promote inclusivity, artistic development, and social transformation:

1. Olaosun Omide Artistic Grants and Training Program (December 2024 to December 2025) – This programme supports young Brazilian artists from marginalised backgrounds, providing financial grants and mentorship, rooted in decolonial and Black feminist perspectives, to help dismantle the Eurocentric art canon and promote social equity.

2. Tova Fischer Arts and Crafts Award (February to December 2025) – Aimed at students from underserved backgrounds pursuing higher education in the arts, this award provides financial support and encourages recipients to engage in community workshops, fostering artistic skills in public schools.

3. HOA Free Art School (March 2025 to January 2026) – This initiative offers free, online courses focusing on Contemporary Art Curation and Cultural Management for Museums, promoting critical and inclusive educational practices in the arts.

4. Benedita Award for Women Artists (September to December 2025) – This award recognises and supports women artists with at least ten years of experience, providing substantial financial backing and promoting their work through a curated publication, emphasising gender equity in the arts.

5. Horizonte International Residency Program (April to June 2025; September to October 2025) – This is a collaborative initiative by HOA Cultural Society in partnership with the Institut Français, the French Embassy in Brazil, and the French Ministry of Culture, launched as part of the Cross-Season Brazil-France exchange. Beginning in April, HOA will send Brazilian artists for a 10-week residency at Dos Mares, an international art research centre in Marseille. During the residency, the artists will develop research- creation projects exploring the themes of ecology, territories and social identities, with curatorial support, deepening their research into the intersections between the environment and social justice. From September 2025, this residency programme welcomes francophone artists from Brazil, Africa, mainland France, and the French Overseas territories to Brazil. The residency focuses on themes of identity and cultural exchange, while providing support for creative projects and community engagement, strengthening relations between Brazil and France, in line with the objectives of the Saison Croisée France-Brésil 2025.

Launching April 2025 – a floating art pavilion on the Pinheiros River

Conceived by Igi Lọ́lá Ayedun in collaboration with METRO Arquitetos, IOA (Island of Arts) is an immersive art installation, a monument-pavilion that explores the fusion of art and architecture as a vehicle for sensory and cultural experimentation. The IOA transcends the traditional concept of a static contemplative space, transforming into a site where artistic expressions engage the public through immersive experiences, integrating sustainability, technology, and spirituality at its core. The pavilion will exhibit 10-15 artists participating in HOA Cultural Society programmes.

IOA is a public project commissioned by AGUAS ABERTAS, an initiative dedicated to reimagining the Rio Pinheiros through art and architecture during its de-pollution process. Curated by Gabriela de Mattos (Golden Lion recipient at the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale) and Paula Alzugaray (one of Brazil’s foremost art critics), IOA represents a pivotal cultural endeavour.

While the one-year programme will feature artists associated with HOA Cultural Society, the project itself is commissioned by the State of São Paulo through SABESP, the state’s public water company. Furthermore, the IOA benefits from the endorsement and official seal of the Brazilian Ministry of Culture and the Federal Government, underscoring the collaborative efforts of key institutions supporting this transformative initiative. The launch will coincide with Brazilian art fair SPARTE 2025.

hoaculturalsociety.org