The roundtable discussion Fábrica of Lived Art Practices: A roundtable on art, institutions and alternative economic models, will take place on 18 June 2026 19:00 at Fábrica Braço de Prata. The event is organized by Hajer Khader, Sarah Zammit Munro, and Christian Debono (MA and PhD students of LXC), in the framework of the Artivism Seminar and the economic lab of Institution(ing)s.
Traditional art spaces provide stability and visibility, but also constraints. With reduced budgets, artistic freedom, and institutional independence risk of compromise to secure financial support. How do spaces and collectives practice hybrid funding? What do alternative models look like? Why are they essential for the future of arts and culture?
Join us on 18 June 2026 at 19:00 at Fábrica Braço de Prata for a roundtable discussion on alternative funding models for art institutions and their role in shaping the future of the cultural sector. Chaired by Hajer Khader, the discussion will bring together Luha Vieira, Chin-chin Yap, Carlos Valerio Kangoma (Lucy), and Ed Dingli, who will share their experiences and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities involved in rethinking the structures of art institutions. A Q&A session will follow, along with informal networking and refreshments.
Luha Vieira is a central figure in the management and curation of Fábrica Braço de Prata, a vibrant cultural space in Lisbon housed in a former industrial building. Under her influence, the venue stands out as a hub for culture, shows, exhibitions, literature, and events, functioning as a “museum of living arts.”
Chin-chin Yap is a Singaporean writer and contemporary art specialist working at the intersection of art, law and human rights. She previously ran the Chinese contemporary art division of the London and NYC-based auction house Phillips de Pury & Company. Since 2007, she has been a contributing editor for the Hong Kong-based magazine Art Asia Pacific, where she writes about contemporary art in relation to geopolitics, law and emerging markets.
Carlos Valerio Kangoma, aka “Lucy”, is an Angolan musician from Huambo who immigrated to Portugal at the age of 3. His lived experience of urban violence developed a social awareness that he directed towards his art and the need to challenge the limitations ingrained in the mentality of people living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Since 2021, his focus has been on music, activism, and the fight against racism while participating in the coordination of Vida Justa collective.
Ed Dingli is an illustrator and designer whose work is driven by socio-political, cultural, and environmental subjects. He feels driven to respond to worldly injustices with vibrant visuals that aim to connect with, support or inspire viewers. His style is continually developing as he is actively experimenting with form and technique, using different methods of printmaking and exploring both analogue and digital processes.
Fábrica Braço de Prata
Rua da Fábrica do Material de Guerra, 1 – Marvila
1950-128 Lisboa, Portugal
The Lisbon Consortium 