The arts agency Artscape, together with the Lithuanian National Museum of Art, is continuing the second cycle of “For Each Other”, a programme of creative, educational and psychosocial activities for migrant women living in Lithuania and their children. Taking place in Klaipėda, the project creates a safe and supportive space where women can build confidence, form new connections and become more familiar with their surroundings through art, creativity and shared experiences.
On 19 May, a series of free empowering storytelling workshops began at the Pranas Domšaitis Gallery, welcoming women, including mothers with children. Participants are invited to explore storytelling through movement, body-based practices, voice, choreography, painting and sensory activities. The programme is led by educators from the Pranas Domšaitis Gallery together with scenographer, transdisciplinary artist and theatre researcher Irina Komissarova.
During the first part of the workshops, participants explore the gallery’s exhibitions together with educators from the Lithuanian National Museum of Art and share their reflections on the artworks. The second part focuses on creative body-based and storytelling practices designed to encourage relaxation and self-expression, while offering new ways to explore and communicate personal experiences.
An important aspect of the project is that women can participate together with their children. While mothers take part in the creative programme, their children attend sensory and creative sessions led by scenographer and costume designer Kristina Voytsekhovskaya. Through play, sensory exploration, imagination and a variety of creative materials, children are encouraged to discover and engage with their surroundings in their own way.
The “For Each Other” programme primarily supports migrant women and children experiencing social exclusion, while remaining open to participants of different nationalities, backgrounds and experiences.
“Activities like these can play an important role in strengthening emotional resilience. They give people an opportunity not only to develop new skills and discover cultural spaces, but also to build relationships, strengthen their independence and gain greater confidence in themselves. Shared creative experiences often become a first step towards greater participation in community and public life,” says Aistė Ulubey, the founder of Artscape.
The workshops are offered in Lithuanian, English, Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian, with languages adapted according to participants’ needs to ensure that everyone can engage and participate fully. Upon completing the 12-workshop programme, participants will receive an “Experiential Storytelling Creator” certificate.
The first cycle of “For Each Other” took place from March to May this year at the Radvila Palace Art Museum in Vilnius.
“The first cycle was a great success. We saw tremendous interest and engagement from the women, with lively discussions and many participants attending all or most of the sessions – a clear sign that they found it worthwhile to keep coming back. It is always rewarding when a creative process results in something tangible and beautiful – in this case, a tablecloth made collectively by the women. But even more meaningful was seeing friendships and connections develop. Women who had arrived as strangers became friends, exchanged contact details and made plans to visit museums and workshops together. One older participant, an experienced embroiderer, even began teaching a younger participant her skills. And, of course, we received plenty of questions about what we would organise next,” says Ieva Keliauskaitė-Mališauskė, Artscape educator and project coordinator.
The project is implemented by the arts agency Artscape and funded through the Lithuanian-Swiss Cooperation Programme. Project partners include the Reception and Integration Agency, Diversity Development Group and Pabradė Cultural Centre. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Lithuanian National Museum of Art.
July 2, 2026