About
PERSPECTIVE SHAPES UNDERSTANDING
NIA is an independent international platform for contemporary art based in Prague. We bring together artists, curators, cultural institutions, researchers, and experts from different fields to create projects that expand the way we see the world through contemporary art.
Our work extends beyond the exhibition through public programmes, educational initiatives, institutional partnerships, and international collaborations. Each project creates opportunities for dialogue, learning, and collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and communities.
Everything we do is guided by a simple belief: art has the power to deepen understanding, inspire new ways of thinking, and encourage more meaningful engagement with the world around us.
Founding Director
Nikol Popovská
NIA was founded by Nikol Popovská, whose personal history and professional journey have shaped the institution's vision. Raised in a refugee family and originally trained as a lawyer, she came to believe that art has a unique ability to broaden perspective, deepen understanding, and connect people across cultures and lived experiences. This belief became the foundation of NIA.
Rather than presenting art as an end in itself, NIA approaches it as a way of exploring the questions that shape our world. Through exhibitions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and international partnerships, the platform brings together artists, ideas, and audiences to create meaningful encounters and new ways of seeing.
As Popovská reflects: “Perspective is never fixed. Every encounter has the potential to expand the way we understand the world - and one another.”
Creative Director
Yasmin Keshmiri Hejduk
Yasmin Keshmiri Hejduk is a Creative Director with over 30 years of experience in the creative industry. A native Iranian raised in London and now based in Prague, she brings a broad perspective shaped by her work across various sectors. Her extensive experience has influenced her philosophy and approach, positioning her as a storyteller passionate about bringing ideas to life. Her work is defined by a strong minimal aesthetic, an immersive focus, and a tailored approach, offering fresh perspectives that leave a lasting impact.
As the Creative Director at Nia Gallery, Yasmin’s visionary approach will bring a fresh and dynamic perspective, enhancing the gallery’s impact and relevance. Her commitment to inclusivity, openness, and curiosity will push the boundaries of traditional gallery models, fostering a deeper connection between art and social responsibility. This innovative direction will create a vibrant and engaging space, making Nia Gallery a space for meaningful artistic and cultural dialogue.
Gallery Manager
Olga Soboleva
Olga Soboleva brings together her academic expertise and lifelong passion for art.She earned her Ph.D. in Cultural and Event Tourism, researching how cultural experiences shape communities, and lectures on art management and cultural tourism at international universities.
Her career spans international hospitality and cultural projects, including a long-standing collaboration with the prestigious Mall Galleries in London, where she gained deep insight into international exhibition management and the dialogue between art and society.
“Art is not just my profession - it is the way I live,” she says. “Art is the life we live - some embrace it consciously, others less so.”
At NIA Gallery, her aim is to channel this living art into meaningful collaborations across travel, PR, and cultural services, building bridges between disciplines and expanding the ways art engages with people.
As the Gallery Manager of NIA Gallery, with her mix of academic rigor and hands-on experience, Olga ensures that the gallery thrives as a dynamic cultural home rooted in both professionalism and passion.