A personal struggle became a public promise.
Our founder understood the tension of sustaining creative work while life demanded everything else.
The movement / not the institution
Art survives
because
people show up.
KAGU is built by people who believe a hard chapter should not get the final word on a creative life.
Join the movement →
Founded in 2024. Growing through care.
President & Founder
Director · Board Member
Prime DirectorThat experience became the catalyst for a support system built around dignity, practical help, and genuine understanding. KAGU now serves a growing international community of artists, musicians, writers, and performers.
We work where immediate relief and long-term creative development meet—because tools, confidence, visibility, and belonging are all part of the same practice.
Support should return possibility to the person—not flatten the artist into a problem to solve.
02 / The studio rules
Our values are
01
02
03
04
Our values are
verbs.
Listen before designing.
Every discipline, barrier, and person is different. The work begins with attention.
Remove the extra gates.
A person in crisis should not need grant-writing theatre to be taken seriously.
Support the whole practice.
Materials, mentorship, visibility, confidence, and community are connected.
Build with, not for.
Artists are collaborators with agency. Their lived knowledge shapes the next version.
03 / A young movement
Small beginnings.
2024
NYC
TLV
NEXT
Small beginnings.
Expanding reach.
Foundation established
KAGU formalizes its mission to support creative people facing financial and life hardship.
Creative Resilience Summit
Artists and community leaders meet around sustainable careers and mental health in the arts.
Artists United Festival
Visibility, partnership, and direct support come together around artists affected by conflict.
A broader safety net
New mentors, workshops, venues, and funding pathways help more creative practices continue.
04 / The people in the roomDifferent practices.
Different practices.
One shared belief.
Passionate individuals dedicated to empowering creatives and building a supportive community for artists in need.
President & FounderNadezda Ganelin
Artist and humanitarian. Believes in art's power to inspire, heal, and transform lives, guided by empathy and integrity.
Prime DirectorEdwardo Campos
Writer, musician, and poet who supports underprivileged individuals. Resilient and compassionate, inspiring others despite personal challenges.
DirectorAlina Shipina
Humanitarian and artist. Rescued 50+ stray animals and supports children in creative development. Known for compassion and generosity.
Director · Board MemberElena Ellian
Leads online communities for creatives. Focused on amplifying underrepresented voices and supporting global social responsibility.
Director · Board MemberKsu Melloul
Arts expert and volunteer. Supports people in vulnerable moments and inspires belief in their potential.
Website Creator · 2025Jason Brady
Designer and developer who created the KAGU Foundation website in 2025, shaping a digital home that carries its mission with clarity, care, and creative energy.
Director · Board MemberElena Pankova
Volunteer supporting artists of all ages. Mentors young creatives and inspires confidence and self-belief.