Protecting Ukraine’s Culture, Supporting Its Creators
Aid for Artists, established in March 2022, ensures that Ukrainian artists and cultural workers can continue to create, document, and share Ukraine’s story with the world. A project of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF), it provides the credibility, infrastructure, and secure funding needed to reach artists working under extraordinary conditions.
We invite you to watch this short video from Ann Semotiuk, a member of CUF’s Board of Directors and Chair of its Governance Committee, to learn more about how Aid for Artists is helping keep Ukrainian culture alive.
About Aid for Artists
In 2024, Aid for Artists supported nine artistic projects across photography, filmmaking, folk arts, visual arts, music, and dance and circus arts. More than $77,000 was granted directly to work carried out in Ukraine. This support translated into employment, completed works, international reach, and cultural continuity.
The impact is tangible. Documentary filmmakers completed post-production with teams in Ukraine, directly supporting local professionals. Musicians reached more than 200,000 listeners worldwide and performed in Kharkiv, where Ukrainian culture is urgently needed. Each project ensured that art continued where silence is the goal of aggression.
This work is sustained by community. Cultural initiatives such as the upcoming Toronto Ukrainian Film Festival, the 2025 Toronto Bandura Festival, and many other cultural events demonstrate how culture functions as both resistance and legacy.
CUF is deeply grateful to all the organizations and individual donors whose support for Aid for Artists has been vital through personal contributions and other forms of generosity. Every effort is valued and truly appreciated.
CUF would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the following ensembles and cultural institutions that have hosted events in support of Aid for Artists from coast to coast:
- Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School, Mississauga
- Folk Camp Canada, Toronto
- Friends of the Ukrainian Folklore Centre, Edmonton
- Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Choir, Vancouver
- Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir, Edmonton
- Kazka Entertainment, Toronto
- Kosa Folk Arts, Toronto
- OCAD Ukrainian Student’s Union, Toronto
- Orchestre classique de Montréal, Montreal
- Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble Corp, Saskatoon
- Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Vernon
- The Canadian Tank Museum, Oshawa
- Toronto Bandura Festival, Toronto
- Toronto Bandura School, Toronto
- Toronto Ukrainian Film Festival
- Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society, Calgary
- Ukrainian Academy of Dance, Toronto
- Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America
- Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch, Toronto
- Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, Edmonton
- Veselka Ukrainian Dance Association, Edmonton
- Vesnivka Choir, Toronto
- Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir, Edmonton
- Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Association, Edmonton
- Yalenka Ukrainian Dancers Society – School of Dance, Calgary
- Zorya Ukrainian Dance Association, Thunder Bay
Aid for Artists is more than an emergency response. It is a long-term commitment to resilience, cultural survival, and the rebuilding Ukraine’s creative sector for the future.
If you are planning a cultural event in support of CUF’s Aid for Artists fund, we invite you to connect with our team at [email protected]. You may also provide a direct donation to Aid for Artists by clicking the button below.
About the Canada-Ukraine Foundation
Founded in 1995 during the 18th Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established to coordinate, develop, and deliver humanitarian assistance from Canadians to Ukraine. CUF continues to play a vital role as a national charitable foundation, working to monitor, promote, and support humanitarian aid initiatives. Its mission includes evaluating projects, fostering collaboration among aid providers, setting strategic priorities, and ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. CUF also serves as a forum for individuals and organizations—across community, private, and public sectors—committed to supporting Ukraine. In addition to its work abroad, CUF also supports related initiatives within Canada.