Our story

FIGURA is an independent, artist-run initiative located in the heart of Sofia. We are a gallery, a creative hub, and a testing ground for experimental practices.

We focus on care, process, and honest conversation. We are built for ambitious projects that explore complexity and context. Whether you are an artist looking for your first critical show, a resident seeking mentorship, a curator trying to find your voice in the art scene, or a neighbor curious about new media, the door is open.

FIGURA is more than a room, it’s a promise to keep Sofia creative, critical, and accessible.

Drawing of a person in a space suit, floating in space near a planet with rings.
An art installation in a white-walled room with tiled floor, featuring sculptures including a pile of flesh-toned, doll-like objects on the floor, a black object with white markings, a small rectangular sculpture on a pedestal, and a wall display of small images or notes.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

FIGURA was born out of a simple observation: Sofia’s emerging artists lack accessible, professional, and critically engaged spaces to realize their potential. The "gatekeeping" of the traditional art world often leaves early and mid-career creators without the logistical or financial support they need to sustain a practice.

Our mission is to bridge that gap through Radical Transparency. We are upfront about our costs, our terms, and our funding. We prioritize 80% of our programming for early and mid-career artists, focusing on disciplines that are traditionally harder to stage, such as: Sculpture, Sound, Video, Installation, Performance, Textile Art.

An art gallery interior with white walls. On the left wall, there are multiple small photographs arranged loosely. Near the bottom left, there is a black plastic bag. In the middle of the room, there's a pile of beige and brown fabric or material resembling stuffed objects. Near the window on the back wall, a black table or stand displays several glass sculptures. To the right, a small white pedestal holds a wooden box with a small dark object inside. The room has bright lighting from a fluorescent fixture on the ceiling, and a radiator is placed against the back wall beneath the window.
A woman with short hair wearing a knitted hat looks at a textured white art piece with black text and photographs attached to a wall.

The Personal Commitment

FIGURA doesn’t rely on government grants or major corporate sponsors to stay afloat. At launch, the space is being funded entirely by the founders' personal paychecks until it can start running on it’s own. We have put our own skin in the game to prove that a transparent, artist-run model can thrive in Sofia. Our goal is to move from personal funding to a community-supported ecosystem where rentals and art sales sustain the next generation of creators.

People observing an artistic book sculpture displayed in an art gallery.

The Hybrid Model: How We Stay Independent

We believe that for art to be independent, the space must be sustainable. FIGURA operates on a unique Hybrid Model where our single, flexible room serves three distinct priorities:

  1. P1 (Exhibitions): Our primary purpose. We host two 2-week Open Call shows per month and a dedicated "Upcoming Talent" spotlight every November.

  2. P2 (Residencies): During July and August, we close to the public to provide artists with focused time, space, and mentorship.

  3. P3 (Commercial Hire): When the room isn't occupied by art, we hire it out for pop-ups shows, product launches, book openings, arthouse movie nights and other curated events.

100% of the income generated from commercial rentals (P3) directly subsidizes our artistic programs. By booking our space, commercial clients become active patrons of the arts, funding the exhibition fees and resources that keep FIGURA affordable for artists.

How to get involved

Whether you are looking for a platform to stage your work or simply want to ensure experimental art has a home in Sofia, there are several ways to engage with the FIGURA mission:

For Artists

  • Apply for an Open Call (P1): Check our current submission cycles for two-week exhibitions. We back ambitious projects that engage with our focus disciplines.

  • Join the Residency (P2): Apply for our summer intensive or off-season flexible slots for dedicated research and mentorship.

  • Professionalization Workshops: Join our monthly sessions on grant writing, documentation, and portfolio development.

For Supporters & The Community

  • Fuel the Room (P3): Hire FIGURA for your next book launch, pop up show, lecture, or private art event. Every Euro of your rental fee directly subsidizes an artist's exhibition.

  • Buy Art Online: We maintain an "Online Only" sales policy. 70% of every purchase goes directly to the artist, while 30% helps keep our lights on.

  • Stay Critical: Subscribe to our Digital Magazine and Substack. Engaging with our research and essays helps build the critical dialogue that Sofia needs.

  • Visit Us: Our door is open during exhibitions. Come see the work, meet the founders, and join the conversation.

  • Direct Support & Donations: If you believe in the mission but don’t have an event to host, you can contribute directly to our Artist Development Fund. These donations are used specifically for material stipends for residents, reducing the participation fees for artists with less means, and keeping the space running during slower months.

5% Cover the Fee