Where Culture Meets Community
Our project bridges the gap between artists and the world, empowering creative voices to engage, educate, and inspire. By connecting artists with collectors, businesses, museums, and educational institutions, we transform individual expression into collective impact, placing the artist at the heart of cultural dialogue.
Our Focus
Art: Supporting emerging talents and local creative communities by organizing online and occasionally offline spaces to showcase and share their works with the world.
Education: Developing public talks, workshops, and programs that invite deeper cultural understanding through artistic exploration.
Community: Creating a platform where artists, architects, museum professionals, collectors, and art enthusiasts can exchange ideas, shape discourse, and grow together.
Business: Building strategic partnerships with brands, organizations, and public bodies to amplify cultural impact and connect with broader audiences.
We support artists in expanding their practice beyond the studio, fostering meaningful relationships across cultures and disciplines. Through curated initiatives, we help new voices to be seen and heard, fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse artistic expressions.
Daria Sönmez
Founder and Curator of BENCH
Daria Sönmez is the visionary founder and curator of BENCH — an innovative, community-centered initiative that bridges artists with art strategy, education, and public engagement on a global scale.
With an international background in the arts and creative economies, Daria has managed diverse projects across Türkiye, East Asia, and Europe. She has developed and delivered numerous artistic programs, fostering collaborations and offering mentorship to emerging and established artists.
Based in Istanbul, Daria and her team are passionate about building meaningful partnerships with businesses, government initiatives, and cultural institutions. Her mission is to deepen the dialogue between organizations and artists, unite diverse communities, and inspire audiences to experience the transformative power of art in everyday life.
‘In a time when emerging talent often goes unnoticed, I’m committed to creating meaningful connections that elevate artistic expression and enrich our collective understanding of art’s role in shaping the world.’