Culture Heritage Foundation (KÜME)

The Culture Heritage Foundation (KÜME) was established in Istanbul as a center for thought and production aimed at societal and cultural transformations. The foundation assumes the mission of preserving, developing, and transmitting humanity’s accumulated knowledge by integrating historical heritage with contemporary advancements. It conducts research in the fields of social sciences and the arts, supports individuals and institutions, and presents these studies to the public through reports and events.

The foundation seeks to develop alternative approaches by analyzing the social, cultural, and technological transformations of the modern world. It particularly focuses on preserving cultural heritage, encouraging artistic production, and passing these values on to future generations. Through academic collaborations, educational projects, and research activities, KÜME aims to create long-term and sustainable public benefits.

Vision and Mission

The foundation’s vision is to embrace humanity’s shared artistic and intellectual heritage, synthesize deep-rooted civilizational perspectives within a multicultural framework, and develop original approaches that will carry these values into the future. By fostering intercultural interactions, it aims to create an environment conducive to new ideas and artistic productions, guided by principles of tolerance, justice, and preservation.

KÜME’s mission is to support human cultural and artistic pursuits, promote intellectual production in science and the arts, and integrate profound civilizational values with the needs of the contemporary world. In this context, the foundation develops projects ranging from art to architecture, philosophy to literature, ensuring the continued vitality of cultural heritage.

Research Areas and Principles of Operation

The foundation conducts a multidimensional research program focused on preserving and enhancing individual and collective memory. As a center for thought and production, KÜME examines societal changes on both global and local scales, drawing insights from various disciplines. It supports artistic and academic production in the following areas:

• Preservation of Cultural and Artistic Heritage: Revitalizing traditional arts with modern interpretations and developing strategies to transmit this heritage to future generations.
• Social Transformation and Civilization Studies: Analyzing the effects of global changes and technological transformations on society and developing human-centered solutions.
• New Media and Digital Culture Studies: Evaluating the impact of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and technological advancements on cultural production and human perception.
• Interdisciplinary Art and Design: Exploring the effects of art and design on cultural identity and societal structures, leading innovative projects.

These studies are presented to the public through reports, events, and projects. KÜME strives not only to address existing challenges but also to develop solutions for potential future issues by utilizing its resources efficiently.

Artistic Activities and KÜME Culture & Arts

KÜME operates the KÜME Culture & Arts program to emphasize the social impact of art and support artistic production. This initiative focuses on preserving cultural heritage, encouraging artistic creation, and increasing access to art. Various departments within KÜME Culture & Arts include:

• KÜME Atelier: A platform integrating education, experimental work, and interdisciplinary projects in the fields of art and design.
• KÜME Report: A research program analyzing: Türkiye’s cultural and artistic landscape through statistical data and field studies.
• KÜME Field: An organizational unit that promotes cultural events on both local and global scales.

By supporting both artists and researchers, the foundation ensures the continuity of artistic and cultural production.

Scholarship Programs

KÜME organizes scholarship programs to support young talents studying in the arts and social sciences.

Art Anew Scholarship Program provides financial support to students in fine arts faculties, facilitating their artistic production processes. Community Studies Scholarship Program encourages students in social sciences to develop projects addressing social issues. Culture and Civilization Research Scholarship Program supports graduate and doctoral students, enabling them to contribute to scientific literature.

Events and Cultural Organizations

The foundation organizes events highlighting the role of art and culture in social transformation. Some notable events include:

• Kefiyeh Scarves Rise For Peace in Cappadocia: Aimed at raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, this event attracted international media attention.
• The Deaf Sultan Musical: A theatrical production staged at Teknofest Mediterranean, depicting the historical struggle between good and evil.
• Choreography of Hope and Unity for Gaza: A stage performance conveying messages of unity and solidarity through folk dances and heroic narratives.

These initiatives underscore the power of art and cultural production in fostering public awareness and reaching broader audiences.

Governance and Organizational Structure

The foundation’s governance structure operates under the strategic direction of its Board of Trustees and Executive Board. This structure ensures the sustainability of academic, cultural, and artistic projects and guarantees their execution in alignment with public interest.

Board of Trustees:

• Selçuk Bayraktar (Chairman)
• Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar
• Abdullah Eren
• Mehmet Ali Nart

Executive Board:

• Abdullah Eren (Chairman)
• Mehmet Ali Nart
• Serhat Kula
• Nihal Fırat Özdemir
• Didem Kaya Bayram

The Culture Heritage Foundation (KÜME) seeks to integrate historical knowledge and artistic heritage with contemporary scientific and artistic perspectives to create lasting contributions for future generations. Through interdisciplinary research, artistic projects, scholarship programs, and cultural events, the foundation actively contributes to the cultural and academic development of society.

KÜME’s efforts reflect a commitment to exploring deeper insights into humanity and society through art and science. By fostering dialogue, innovation, and artistic expression, the foundation continues to be a pioneer in cultural and intellectual progress.