Experience Ukraine
Spotlight Ukraine is a vehicle to share and celebrate Ukraine’s unique and vibrant culture– from history, architecture, and traditions to arts, food, and fashion. Through our blogs and sharing of information on ways to experience Ukrainian culture first hand, we will help in the effort to preserve Ukraine’s distinct and beautiful culture that is under attack.
We believe that cultural preservation is vital for not only Ukraine, but all of humanity. Russia’s attack on Ukraine is not only focused on seizing territory and destroying Ukrainian sovereignty, but also cultural annihilation. Russia’s justification for invading Ukraine is rooted in the false premise that Ukraine is not a real country, but a creation of communist Russia, without its own history or genuine national traditions. In a televised address at the start of Russia’s attack on Ukraine Putin denied that Ukraine had ever enjoyed “real statehood” and claimed the country as part of Russia’s “own history, culture, spiritual space.” This statement is completely incorrect. Although the histories of the two countries are intertwined, Ukraine has a distinct culture, including its language, traditions, arts, food, and more.
Contribute a Guest Blog Article
We welcome contributions for blog articles from anyone who has knowledge of Ukrainian history and culture. Please note that Spotlight Ukraine is a volunteer initiative; as such, guest blog articles are unpaid. Click here to submit an idea for a guest blog article.
Where you can experience and learn about Ukrainian culture
Here’s a short list of museums and other venues where you can learn about and experience Ukrainian culture. We’ll be adding to this list, so check back again soon.
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA)
The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art preserves and promotes contemporary art as a shared expression of the Ukrainian and American experience. Located in the heart of the Ukrainian Village in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, the Institute was founded in 1971 through the initiative of art collectors Dr. Achilles and Vera Chreptowsky, and sculptors Konstantin Milonadis and Mychajlo Urban. They wanted to provide the public with a understanding of Ukrainian artists engaged with contemporary art.
UIMA offers a wide range of exhibitions, musical and literary events, films, and gallery talks. It is home to one of the world’s largest collections of Ukrainian-American abstract and minimalist works from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Many of the artists represented have world-class reputations with works also exhibited at places such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery, and the Barnes Collection. UIMA’s permanent collection has grown to include works by notable Ukrainian artists including Alexander Archipenko, Alexis Gritchenko, Mychajlo Andreenko, and Soviet era Ukrainian Non-Conformists, as well as many artists of Ukrainian descent. Works by Jerzy Nowosielski, Jules Olitski, Patrick Caulfield, Elisabeth Frink, Mary Fedden, are also featured, as well as Chicago artists Richard Hunt, Thomas Kapsalis, Michiko Itatani and others.
The Institute also holds extensive partnerships with national and international art organizations and museums. A core member of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, UIMA has helped develop a wide coalition of ethnic museums that together promote the diversity of the multi-cultural city.
Experience Ukrainian artists at The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. Get more, visit UIMA online at UIMA
Information described is subject to change without notice. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on venues described here, please visit the websites for each institution or contact them directly.