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Building Bridges of Hope
"With a footprint in 129 countries, we believe true diversity comes from looking beyond the traditional art hubs. We seek out the unheard and the unseen."
Niladri Sarker, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO
Our Story
Behind every global movement is a person who got tired of the way things were. For the founder of TERAVARNA, that meant looking at an art world built on exclusive zip codes and "who you know" and choosing to build a bridge instead.
As an artist himself, Niladri founded TERAVARNA with a simple, stubborn belief: talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. So, take a look at the philosophy driving our ecosystem—from the exact moment he realized the industry needed a shake-up to why he still answers the phone for emerging creators today
15,157
Artists served
Every Hand Helps Us Grow
129
Countries represented
Uniting Hearts and Actions
154
Juried art shows
Milestones of Hope and Change
Our Mission
We back artists who don’t have a safety net. TERAVARNA Foundation helps underprivileged creatives turn raw talent into real momentum—through grants, education, and global visibility.
Art shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for the lucky. We exist for the brilliant artist in the wrong zip code, the wrong economy, the wrong circumstance. When access changes, outcomes change—and art changes culture.
Success Stories
Back to Creating
City: N'Djamena | Country: Chad
The Challenge
After a financial setback (job loss / family crisis / displacement), an artist paused their practice. Materials became a luxury, not a given.
How the Foundation helped
A TERAVARNA Foundation grant covered essential supplies (canvas/paper/paints), basic tools, and a small stipend to restart consistent studio time.
The Outcome
The artist returned to a disciplined weekly practice and completed a new series. More importantly, the grant restored momentum for the artist in moving forward with new assignments.
In the Artist's own words
“This wasn’t charity. It was permission to keep going.”
What Your Donation Supports
Materials and micro-stability so artists can keep creating through hard seasons.
Snapshots of Connection
At the TERAVARNA Foundation, we believe that art can be so much more than just "art"—it could be a catalyst for awareness and a blueprint for change. By bridging the gap between the aesthetic excellence of TERAVARNA.com and the urgent ecological missions of our time, we turn every competition into a global call to action. We donate 5% of competition revenue (up to $250) to each of our themed projects.
Here is how we link our primary themes to the heartbeat of the planet:
Theme—WATER
The Goal: Navigating the Freshwater Crisis & Ocean Conservancy
Water is the ultimate H2O paradox—abundant in our oceans, yet vanishingly rare in our taps. Through this theme, we challenge artists to move beyond the "pretty blue" and capture the fragility of aquatic ecosystems.
The Impact: Every entry fuels Foundation grants for freshwater access projects (like those in Flint or the Global South) and supports organizations fighting the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch." We transform the fluid beauty of art into the solid infrastructure of clean water.
Theme—ANIMAL
The Goal: Wildlife Conservancy & Protecting the Endangered
When an artist captures the gaze of a tiger or the silhouette of a rhino, they aren't just making a portrait; they are witnessing a potential ghost. We link the ANIMAL competition directly to the front lines of biodiversity loss.
The Impact: The Foundation donates to boots-on-the-ground wildlife conservancy. By celebrating the "wild" in the gallery, we fund the survival of the wild in the field, ensuring that "extinct" remains a word found in history books, not current events.
Theme—LANDSCAPE
The Goal: Preserving Open Spaces & Combating Degradation
Our LANDSCAPE theme serves as a visual audit of the Anthropocene. While traditional landscapes celebrate beauty, we encourage artists to document the "scarring"—environmental degradation, urban sprawl, and the chemical signatures of pollution.
The Impact: This theme supports the protection of open spaces and reforestation efforts. By highlighting the contrast between pristine nature and human-driven pollution, we fund the literal "cleaning of the canvas"—restoring the land that provides the very air we breathe.
Theme—PORTRAIT
The Goal: Human Rights, Identity, and Dignity
A portrait is more than a likeness; it is an assertion of existence. We link this theme to the preservation of human dignity and the visibility of marginalized populations.
The Impact: Your entry fee supports Foundation initiatives that provide a "Voice for the Voiceless"—including documentary projects for indigenous tribes and refugees. We transform the "gaze" of the portrait into a tool for global empathy.
Theme—FIGURATIVE
The Goal: Social Justice and the "Human Condition"
Where portraits focus on the individual, figurative art explores the body in space and society. We connect this to disability rights and social equity.
The Impact: The Foundation uses these funds to support inclusive art programs and "Activist Artist" scholarships. We celebrate the diversity of the human form to fund a world where every body is protected and valued.
Theme—FLOWER
The Goal: Art Therapy and Botanical Conservation
In your "scientific-artist" view, a flower is a masterpiece of evolution. We link this theme to the healing power of nature (Art Therapy) and botanical education.
The Impact: Proceeds fund therapeutic horticulture and art programs for children in trauma recovery and the elderly with dementia. We use the "bloom" of the canvas to plant the seeds of mental well-being in sterile hospital environments.
Theme—STILL LIFE
The Goal: Food Security and Global Heritage
A "Still Life" often depicts what sustains us. We relate this theme to the global food crisis and the preservation of vanishing cultural artifacts.
The Impact: This call supports "Food Justice" grants, turning images of abundance into real-world sustenance for food deserts. We highlight the "basic needs" of humanity to ensure that no plate is left empty in the communities we serve.
Theme—COLOR
The Goal: Mental Health and Neurodiversity
Color is a frequency that alters the human psyche. We link this theme to mental health awareness and neuro-inclusive design.
The Impact: The Foundation partners with wellness facilities to replace "sterile" environments with scientifically-curated color palettes that reduce anxiety and promote serenity. We use the spectrum of the competition to light up the dark corners of the mental health crisis.
Theme—OPEN
The Goal: Innovation and "The Maverick Grant"
The "Open Theme" is for the outliers—the scientists, the rebels, and the visionaries. We link this to entrepreneurial innovation within the arts.
The Impact: This revenue funds the Foundation's "Maverick Grants," providing unrestricted capital to artists working at the intersection of technology, science, and social change. It’s about funding the future of art before the mainstream even recognizes it.