SAHA Association

SAHA Association is a non-profit organisation in Istanbul that backs artists, curators and writers working in the visual arts from Turkey. Nine founding members set it up in 2011, with contributions from 31 members. Serra Yentürk is its director.

SAHA gives production grants for exhibitions, publications and public programmes, working through non-profit art organisations that invite artists and curators from Turkey. It places artists in residency and research programmes abroad and raises funds for SAHA Curator posts at international institutions. Its Curatorial Program helps foreign curators research in Turkey. SAHA says it has supported more than 650 artists, curators, writers and initiatives in 52 countries.

SAHA Studio, launched in Beyoğlu in 2019, is a six-month programme of research and production. Five artists are chosen by open call for each term. The studio now occupies premises in block 5 of the İstanbul Manifaturacılar Çarşısı (İMÇ). Each term closes with SAHA Studio Open, where the artists present their new work.