Brightening Lives

We are an operational nonprofit organisation working in 17 countries. We believe the power of positive environments transforms the fearful experience of impersonal and clinical settings.

The Foundation

Based in Geneva (Switzerland), we are an operational nonprofit foundation founded in 2008. To date we have completed over 250 projects in 17 countries, Europe and USA, reaching over 6 million beneficiaries.


Anouk is a determined and loving little girl with special needs, who brightens the lives of all those who meet her.
Her story has brought together an equally determined and experienced team, whose aim is to brighten the lives of both children and adults in medical institutions.

Our projects

Our mission :

Humanise institutions

To transform the clinical environment in hospitals and social-medical institutions by creating a visually calming and welcoming atmosphere.


Since 2008, we have been helping patients or residents feel nurtured and reassured in hospital and socio-medical institutions.

Our values :

Empathy

Creativity

Well-being

Our method :

We have developed therapeutic murals which improve the physical, psychological, and emotional care of patients and residents and also support staff.


Our method involves participation, involvement and interaction. Together we design the right mural to improve the medical and social environment. This significantly improves the quality of a patient’s journey and the staff's working environment. Very specific training for 1.5 years is required to join our team of artists.

Our murals are based on the principles of art therapy, knowledge of design and a large body of research. The benefits are multiple: in terms of health, quality of life, and economic outcomes.

Our impact

Financing

Our annual budget : CHF 500,000.-

All our projects are made possible thanks to the generosity of various donors (figure 1) and through a close collaboration with local partners.


We are proud to be able to say that our operating costs are at 16% and that 83% of all donations are directly attributed to projects (figure 2).


The accounts are audited by Berney & Associés S.A. in Geneva, regulated by the Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations (DFI), and governed by Swiss law.

Donations are tax deductible in Switzerland, the EU, via Transnational Giving Europe, and the USA, via Charities Aid Foundation America. They are our trusted partners for international philanthropy.

Legal notice
Types of donors
Total operating costs

Our team

VANESSA VON RICHTER

Director

  • Biography

    After obtaining a Masters in Humanitarian Development at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, Vanessa worked in Asia and South America in the microfinance sector.


    Since her return to Europe, she manages projects for children and adults in hospitals.


    She co-created Anouk Foundation in 2008.


    LinkedIn Profile

BEATRIZ ARISTIMUÑO

Project manager

  • Biography

    From 1979 to 2000, Beatriz worked in communications and the luxury market in France and Italy.


    Since 2002, she has worked in humanitarian projects for children and adults with disabilities.


    She co-created Anouk Foundation in 2008.

MARINA DUROUX

Project manager

  • Biography

    After her studies in Business Administration in New York at Pace University, Marina has worked in communication in various fields.


    Since 2017 she has helped the Anouk Foundation with her experience and creativity.


    LinkedIn profile

Our artists

Specific training is required to join our team of international artists

Contact us

Miodrag Vargić

Painter and sculptor, lives in Serbia

  • Biography

    Graduated from the School of Fine Arts in Belgrade in 2002.


    Has collaborated with Anouk Foundation since its creation in 2008.


    50 projects completed together.

Emmanuel Martin

Illustrator, lives in France

  • Biography

    Graduated from the Artigraph School in Nice in 1994.


    Has collaborated with Anouk Foundation since its creation in 2008.


    110 projects completed together.

Kata Koleszár

Painter, lives in Hungary

  • Biography

    Graduated from the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in 2014.


    Has collaborated with Anouk Foundation since 2014.


    45 projects completed together.

Guillaume Ozon

Painter, lives in Serbia.

  • Biography

    Graduated from the National School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg in 1997.


    Has collaborated with Anouk Foundation since its creation in 2008.


    110 projects completed together.

Carole Lombardo-Ténèze

Painter, decorator, lives in France

  • Biography

    Graduated from the Artigraph School in Nice in 2000.


    Has collaborated with Anouk Foundation since its creation in 2008.


    90 projects completed together.

Alexandre Levine

Painter, lives in Switzerland

  • Biography

    Graduated from the Yaroslavl Art School in 1977.


    Has collaborated with Anouk Foundation since its creation in 2008.


    120 projects completed together.

Ani Kocharyan

Painter and multimedia artist, lives in France

  • Biography

    Graduated with a Master degree in Visual Arts from HEAD-Geneva School in 2023.


    Has collaborated with Anouk Foundation since 2022.


    5 projects completed together.

Anna-Luca Mogyoros

Painter and illustrator, lives in Germany

  • Biography

    Graduated with a  Masters from the Kunsthochschule Berlin in 2022.


    Has collaborated with Anouk Foundation since 2019.


    8 projects completed together.

Nicolas Péché

Art therapist, lives in France

  • Biography

    Painter and Art-therapist, graduated in 2006 with the French Diploma of Art Therapist.


    Anouk art therapy consultant since 2019.

Our Board Members

Philippe R. Calame

President

Dr. Saira-Christine RENTERIA

Vice-president

Profile

Daria Robinson

Member

Profile

Catherine Kavadze

Member

Profile

Olivier Fruchaud

Member

Profile

Caroline Guerrand

Member

Juliette Streichenberger

Member

Profile

Alexandre de Senger

Member

Profile

Our Action Committee

  • Laurence Collins (community day)
  • Thierry Dana (photographer)
  • Ann Huber-Sigwart (projects in Switzerland)
  • Anastasia Kotchoubey (Art4Impact)
  • Elizabeth Leatherman (projects in USA)
  • Simona Leenders (projects in Italy)
  • Virginie Rolland (Art4Impact)
  • Sandy van Klei (Art4Impact)
  • Carole Varone (communication)
  • Darya von Bergen (social media)
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