I.M.A. - Young Artists Expo - June 19 and 20
I.M.A. - Young Artists Expo - June 19 and 20
SOFIA - Chistilishteto, Orlandovtsi, ul. "Industrialna" 7
SOFIA - Chistilishteto, Orlandovtsi, ul. "Industrialna" 7
I.M.A. – Exhibition of Young Artists – June 19 and 20, 2026
Avangard Association
Avangard Association is a non-governmental organization working in the field of culture with a focus on the conditions in which art functions as part of the market environment in Bulgaria. The team develops and promotes cultural products, supports contemporary artists and works to build an active audience with an understanding of the value and
social role of culture.
I.M.A. is an annual platform for the performance and debut of young artists up to 35 years of age, which presents over 50 participants from the visual and performing arts in a space of 1500 sq. m. in Chistilishte (Sofia). The event combines an exhibition, stage and discussion program, emphasizing the creative approaches of the artists, their
inspirations and upcoming projects.
I.M.A. is implemented in the context of the growing deprofessionalization of the cultural sector in Bulgaria, where many young artists face an unstable market environment, limited opportunities for realization and insufficient awareness of copyright and intellectual property. As a result, some of them leave the professional scene or turn art into a side activity. In parallel, there is a lack of sufficient practical experience to work in the cultural industries, including knowledge of contractual relations, sales and administrative processes.
In response to these challenges, I.M.A. creates a sustainable platform for professional expression and development, which provides not only visibility for young artists, but also a real environment for meeting with the professional community and the cultural market.
The exhibition part includes painting, graphics, sculpture, visual communication, photography, fashion design and applied arts. Participants are selected through open invitations and a professional jury. The stage program presents independent theater associations and musical performers with a focus on decentralization and support for artists from different regions of the country. The discussion panel, which takes place on the second day, examines topics related to professional development in the cultural sector, including portfolio preparation, application to European programs and contemporary approaches in the performing arts.
The event is aimed at a wide and diverse audience, including young people between the ages of 18 and 35 with an interest in contemporary art, professionals from the fields of culture and business, as well as representatives of educational and creative organizations, potential partners, employers and collectors. The main focus is
creating an environment for active networking that encourages the exchange of ideas, the establishment of new contacts and the development of sustainable professional and creative partnerships.
This year's edition of I.M.A. expands its format by adding more participants, introducing new categories to the program and including for the first time structured discussion panels aimed at the professionalization of young artists in Bulgaria.
President of the Avangard Association:
Alexandra Boneva graduated from the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" with a degree in Culturology. She has been the President of the Avangard Association since its establishment in 2025. She has professional experience in the field of culture, acquired both in a cultural institution and in a non-governmental organization, which contributes to a broader view of the sector.
Despite the early stage of her professional development, she demonstrates confidence and competence when working with administrative, legal and management cases. She defends the position that the future of Bulgarian culture is in the hands of the younger generation, approaching this thesis with consistency, expertise and objectivity.
Administrator of the Avangard Association:
Bozhina Dimitrova graduated from the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" with a degree in Culturology. Part of the Board of Directors of the Avangard Association. She is responsible for the efficient running of administrative processes, demonstrating proactivity and the ability to identify potential difficulties in a timely manner. Despite her humanitarian profile, she approaches her work with a clearly expressed practical thinking and organization. She is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to initiatives aimed at supporting young people and their professional development in the field of culture. In her work, she strives to achieve concrete and sustainable results.
PR of the Avangard Association:
Sofia Strinska is a student in the Visual Arts major at the New Bulgarian University. Part of the Board of Directors of the Avangard Association. She shows a strong interest in creative processes in all their forms and plays a key role in the development of creative concepts. Within the association, she performs a comprehensive creative
function, both in the visual identity and in the construction of communication and advertising messages. She is motivated by the desire to contribute to the development of contemporary Bulgarian art and to the creation of platforms that present it in a comprehensive manner.
Organizational coordinator of the Avangard Association:
Mihail Karov graduated from 51 Sofia University "Elisaveta Bagryana" in a specialized class in fine arts and graphics in 2020. Member of the Avangard Association. Has experience in the cinema field as a producer at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts and Film "Krastyo Sarafov", as well as academic training in cultural studies at the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". In the team, he applies and shares his experience in artistic, practical and organizational aspects of the activity. He strives to provide assistance with current tasks and ensure stability and consistency in their implementation. He joins the association, motivated by its active activity, innovative approaches and commitment to the development of the cultural environment.
Organizer: Avangard Association
Tickets available only at kupibileti.bg and in our partner network.
kupibileti.bg sells tickets on behalf of and at the expense of the organizer and is not responsible for the organization or the holding of the event.
Avangard Association
Avangard Association is a non-governmental organization working in the field of culture with a focus on the conditions in which art functions as part of the market environment in Bulgaria. The team develops and promotes cultural products, supports contemporary artists and works to build an active audience with an understanding of the value and
social role of culture.
I.M.A. is an annual platform for the performance and debut of young artists up to 35 years of age, which presents over 50 participants from the visual and performing arts in a space of 1500 sq. m. in Chistilishte (Sofia). The event combines an exhibition, stage and discussion program, emphasizing the creative approaches of the artists, their
inspirations and upcoming projects.
I.M.A. is implemented in the context of the growing deprofessionalization of the cultural sector in Bulgaria, where many young artists face an unstable market environment, limited opportunities for realization and insufficient awareness of copyright and intellectual property. As a result, some of them leave the professional scene or turn art into a side activity. In parallel, there is a lack of sufficient practical experience to work in the cultural industries, including knowledge of contractual relations, sales and administrative processes.
In response to these challenges, I.M.A. creates a sustainable platform for professional expression and development, which provides not only visibility for young artists, but also a real environment for meeting with the professional community and the cultural market.
The exhibition part includes painting, graphics, sculpture, visual communication, photography, fashion design and applied arts. Participants are selected through open invitations and a professional jury. The stage program presents independent theater associations and musical performers with a focus on decentralization and support for artists from different regions of the country. The discussion panel, which takes place on the second day, examines topics related to professional development in the cultural sector, including portfolio preparation, application to European programs and contemporary approaches in the performing arts.
The event is aimed at a wide and diverse audience, including young people between the ages of 18 and 35 with an interest in contemporary art, professionals from the fields of culture and business, as well as representatives of educational and creative organizations, potential partners, employers and collectors. The main focus is
creating an environment for active networking that encourages the exchange of ideas, the establishment of new contacts and the development of sustainable professional and creative partnerships.
This year's edition of I.M.A. expands its format by adding more participants, introducing new categories to the program and including for the first time structured discussion panels aimed at the professionalization of young artists in Bulgaria.
President of the Avangard Association:
Alexandra Boneva graduated from the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" with a degree in Culturology. She has been the President of the Avangard Association since its establishment in 2025. She has professional experience in the field of culture, acquired both in a cultural institution and in a non-governmental organization, which contributes to a broader view of the sector.
Despite the early stage of her professional development, she demonstrates confidence and competence when working with administrative, legal and management cases. She defends the position that the future of Bulgarian culture is in the hands of the younger generation, approaching this thesis with consistency, expertise and objectivity.
Administrator of the Avangard Association:
Bozhina Dimitrova graduated from the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" with a degree in Culturology. Part of the Board of Directors of the Avangard Association. She is responsible for the efficient running of administrative processes, demonstrating proactivity and the ability to identify potential difficulties in a timely manner. Despite her humanitarian profile, she approaches her work with a clearly expressed practical thinking and organization. She is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to initiatives aimed at supporting young people and their professional development in the field of culture. In her work, she strives to achieve concrete and sustainable results.
PR of the Avangard Association:
Sofia Strinska is a student in the Visual Arts major at the New Bulgarian University. Part of the Board of Directors of the Avangard Association. She shows a strong interest in creative processes in all their forms and plays a key role in the development of creative concepts. Within the association, she performs a comprehensive creative
function, both in the visual identity and in the construction of communication and advertising messages. She is motivated by the desire to contribute to the development of contemporary Bulgarian art and to the creation of platforms that present it in a comprehensive manner.
Organizational coordinator of the Avangard Association:
Mihail Karov graduated from 51 Sofia University "Elisaveta Bagryana" in a specialized class in fine arts and graphics in 2020. Member of the Avangard Association. Has experience in the cinema field as a producer at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts and Film "Krastyo Sarafov", as well as academic training in cultural studies at the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". In the team, he applies and shares his experience in artistic, practical and organizational aspects of the activity. He strives to provide assistance with current tasks and ensure stability and consistency in their implementation. He joins the association, motivated by its active activity, innovative approaches and commitment to the development of the cultural environment.
Organizer: Avangard Association
Tickets available only at kupibileti.bg and in our partner network.
kupibileti.bg sells tickets on behalf of and at the expense of the organizer and is not responsible for the organization or the holding of the event.