CONTEMPORARY ART & CULTURAL PHILANTHROPY
Mona Hatoum, Witness, 2009
Photo: Florian Kleinefenn.
Our Mission
Founded in 2024 by Nicole Saikalis Bay and Matteo Bay,
Saikalis Bay Foundation ETS is a philanthropic platform
rooted in Milan and shaped by over a decade of
engagement with the international art world.
The Foundation is guided by the belief that contemporary
art can create meaningful connections between people,
cultures, and places.
Its mission is to advance cultural diplomacy through
projects, partnerships and initiatives that foster dialogue,
exchange, and social impact.
Members of the Board
Select a member below to explore their profile and background.
Founder & President
Founder — Architect | Consultant | Collector | Patron
Nicole Saikalis Bay
Nicole Saikalis Bay is an architect, cultural philanthropist, and strategist for cultural
diplomacy. Born in Beirut to a Lebanese-Greek family, she has worked between
Beirut, Paris, London, and Milan, building bridges between artists and institutions.
Nicole founded Saikalis Architects in London in the late 1990s. Together with
Matteo, she built a curated art collection and founded WeArt Projects, which
evolved into the Saikalis Bay Foundation ETS.
Board Members
Nicole Saikalis Bay
Founder & President
Matteo Bay
Co-Founder & Vice President
Sofia Bocca
Board Member
Emanuela Bozzi
Board Member
The Foundation’s Evolutionary Path
2012
Genesis of the
Saikalis Bay Private Collection
2019
Launch of
#WeArtExperience
activities 2019
2021
Launch of Art Takes Over 2021
2022
INSTITUTIONAL
SUPPORT &
ARTISTIC
PRODUCTION
FUNDING
Donations to Public
Institutions &
Biennales 2022 -
ongoing
2023
First exhibition at
CIRCOLO 2023 -
ongoing
2024
Constitution of the Saikalis Bay
Foundation 2024
2025
LEBANESE ARTIST
RESIDENCY AWARD
First Residency with
Gasworks, London
YOUNG ARTIST
AWARD
Seen/Unseen | One
Artist Project at
CIRCOLO
2026
ITALIAN ARTIST
RESIDENCY AWARD
First Residency with
DELFINA Foundation, London
CORPORATE DONOR
PROGRAM
Release of
Corporate Donor
Program
Cooperative Networks
Our Community Connections
01.
Educational and
Public Engagement
Programs
Workshops, guided
tours, artist talks,
performances and
curator-led tours and
creative experiences
connecting audiences
to art.
02.
Social Media
Active platforms that
amplify artists’ voices
and open the
conversation globally.
03.
Milan Art
Community
Artists, institutions,
curators, collectors,
patrons and art
enthusiasts.
04.
AMICI Program
An exclusive patron
circle supporting
emerging visual
creators.
05.
International Art
Institutions
Commissioning
Council (Whitechapel
Gallery), Beirut Art
Center, Venice
Biennale, Lyon Biennial,
Delfina Foundation,
South London Gallery,
Gasworks.
06.
Public Outreach
Curated news,
exhibition
announcements, and
foundation updates
dispatched to our
subscribers and
broader cultural
audience.
