Kiev's NU ART Gallery Perseveres Amid War, Focusing on Ukrainian Heritage

Despite the ongoing war, private galleries in Kiev continue operations alongside museums and foundations. Ievgeniia Bilousova, founder and director of NU ART Gallery, discusses the gallery's mission and challenges. Founded in 2008 from collector Mykola Bilousov's collection of over 10,000 works, NU ART focuses on rethinking Ukrainian cultural heritage through exhibitions, guided tours, and educational events. The gallery covers Ukrainian modern and contemporary art from the late 19th century to today, including thematic shows and works by artists under 25. Before the full-scale invasion, classical art shows attracted visitors over 35, while contemporary art drew ages 18-35; now the audience is younger. Since the 2022 invasion, the art market has critically declined, with minimal sales by December 2022. NU ART was the first Kiev gallery to reopen in April 2022, initially operating only Saturdays with a checkpoint outside. Cultural life in Kiev is recovering, with many fundraising events for the army and war-affected families. Bilousova believes culture will play a crucial role in post-war reconstruction, uniting Ukrainians and providing psychotherapy through art.