IRARU – IG zur Förderung von Kultur, Integration und soziokulturellen Initiativen | ZVR-Zahl 1683449357 | office@iraru.org | Vienna, Austria
Who we are
We are a non-profit organization founded in Vienna by Manuel Miranda Núñez – Chilean violist – and José Carlos Velayarse – Peruvian painter, both artists living in Austria.
The organization was born to promote art and culture through inclusive participation instances and encourage values such as respect, fellowship, and empathy among participants and members of the community.
We deeply believe in the positive impact that art and music can have on society and for this reason, we work directly with artists in the management of cultural projects in Europe and also with institutions and organizations in Latin America.
Vision
At IRARU.org, we dream of a world where creativity helps bring social change, where cultural diversity is seen as a strength, and where art is used to build fairer, more caring, and inclusive communities.
We believe that through participatory processes, artistic research, and creative education, people can better understand each other and find new ways to take care of themselves and others. That’s why we work to give access to creative experiences to people and communities—especially those who have been left out—so they can express themselves, connect, and improve their lives.
From Europe to the world, we want to help create a more open, supportive, and resilient society.
Mission
IRARU.org is a transdisciplinary and intercultural non-profit organization that creates, develops, and implements artistic and socio-cultural projects rooted in participatory processes and artistic research. We are committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable communities through creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
At IRARU, we design innovative methodologies, toolkits, and didactic materials that respond to contemporary social challenges such as cultural inclusion, social integration, emotional well-being, environmental awareness, and the active participation of underrepresented communities. Our projects often engage youth, migrants, and vulnerable groups across Europe and beyond.
We stay at the forefront of emerging issues by incorporating new technologies, eco-friendly materials, and creative tools into our work. Through our interdisciplinary and community-driven approach, we aim to empower people and foster collective change by bridging art, innovation, and social impact.
What do we want to achieve?
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Promote artistic research, generating new knowledge and experiences through artistic practice.
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Empower communities historically excluded from social participation by giving them space and voice.
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Foster experimental and innovative approaches in arts and education.
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Support emotional well-being through creative processes.
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Create, implement, and disseminate materials and methodologies based on creative and participatory approaches.
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Non-formal artistic education as a tool to develop solutions for social and cultural challenges.
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Empower people and communities to express themselves, connect, and transform their realities.
Who can participate in our activities?
Our activities are designed for diverse audiences depending on the type of project. For example:
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Artists and researchers, in projects focused on research or methodology development.
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Artists, in artistic residencies and similar activities.
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Children and youth, through creative workshops; we are currently also working with neurodivergent young people.
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Migrant communities and individuals with fewer opportunities.
Anyone interested in incorporating creativity into their daily lives.
Meet Our Team
Manuel José Miranda Núñez
VIOLIST & COFOUNDER
Born in Santiago, Chile. He graduated from the Experimental Artistic Lycée in Santiago and then continued her studies in Music Performance with a mention in Viola at the University of Chile. In 2018 he travels to Vienna (Austria) to continue his studies under the tutelage of violists Natalia Binkowska and Ronald Spindler. Manuel has toured with orchestras such as the German National Orchestra and has played in halls of the Berlin Philharmonic, the Musikverein in Vienna or the Gewandhaus in Leipzig.
In Chile, he worked for years as a Viola and violin instructor in different projects of Children‘s Orchestras and nowadays Manuel is mainly dedicated to chamber music and the management of interdisciplinary projects.
José Carlos Velayarse
PAINTER & MUSICIAN
He was born in Lima. He studied painting at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú graduating first in his class. He also holds a master's degree in Contemporary Artistic Creation from the University of Barcelona.
He currently is a member of the International Art Association IAA, is also director of the Accidental Gallery and teaches drawing and painting at the Milat Austria Non-profit Association.
María Fernanda Monasterio
PROJECT MANAGER
Born in Chile. Her academic background is Law (Chile) and International Business (Austria).
Project Writer with experience in writing and implementing proposals for EU, Austrian and Latin American Funds. A strong background in marketing, as well as proven experience in organizing cultural events.
Linda Velásquez
ARTS COORDINATOR & FACILITATOR
Linda Velásquez, born in Peru and living in Vienna, Austria, is an Architect, Humanitarian Clown, and Facilitator of Expressive Arts with over five years of experience. She guides groups through intermodal experiences based on the Philosophical Foundations of the Expressive Arts. Trained as an Expressive Arts Therapist at TAE-Peru (an Associated School of the European Graduate School), she has supported children, adolescents, and women in educational and community development contexts. In Vienna, she focuses on working with migrant communities, designing and facilitating Erasmus+ projects, and offering one-on-one private accompaniment.
Pepe Hernández
MUSICIAN AND LINGUIST
Pepe lives between two worlds, languages and music. He has a degree in French-Spanish Translation from the University of Alicante. In addition to that, he has studied Clarinet at the Conservatory of Alicante.
In 2018 he moved to Vienna, where he finished his Diplomstudium in Clarinet and also completed an Instrumentalpädagogik study at the Joseph Haydn Konservatorium und Musik und Darstellungungunität Wien.
Yemi Akamine
ART FACILITATOR
Yemi Akamine is an interior architect and art facilitator with a passion for arts and crafts. Her work centers on non-formal education, using art as a tool for social inclusion. She has been leading art workshops in public schools across Tuscany, focusing on fostering creative expression and promoting social change within the migrant community. Through these sessions, Yemi aims to empower individuals to develop a strong sense of self-worth and belonging through artistic exploration. Currently based in Tuscany, she is collaborating with Fondazione POMA Libera Tutti on the "Poma-Camp" project, where she leads creativity labs for kids to help them develop their artistic talents.
Yemi also supports IRARU's mission by collaborating with us on the implementation of our Erasmus projects and expressive arts workshops. Her experience and unwavering commitment are invaluable to our team!
Dr. Carola Koblitz
LINGUIST AND RESEARCHER
Carola is a linguist, communication scientist, journalist, author and independent researcher in the fields of multilingualism, multiculturalism, foreign language didactics, media pedagogy, identity and language, transculturality, and the history and culture of Latin America. She holds a PhD. in Communication Sciences from the University of Vienna and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Applied Linguistics.
But undoubtedly her most important project is the promotion of "Inherent Language" which is a term from modern linguistics that was first suggested in Carola Koblitz's research (2017). The word "inherent" comes from the Latin inhaerere and refers to an element that is an essential part of a being or an object, that is within it and at the same time defines it. Therefore, an inherent language is a language that is part of you and your identity.
Daniela Mancilla
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Daniela Mancilla is a Graphic Designer and takes this form of communication as a fundamental tool to connect with her environment. She fervently believes that design has the power to transform and improve our communities, and that is why she always aspires to put her skills at the service of society. For her, design is an essential communication tool that must be integrated into our daily lives, as we are inherently visual beings.
IRARU represents a unique opportunity to apply her skills in a context that values and promotes community well-being and share a commitment to social improvement through creative collaboration. She sees art and design not only as professions, but as powerful means to inspire, educate and mobilize people towards a more just and sustainable future.
Ana Paola Castro Villegas
ART FACILITATOR
An artist and educator passionate about the transformative power of creativity. Currently studying Holistic Art Therapy at the Akademie für Kunsttherapie in Vienna, she helps others heal through artistic expression. Ana Paola holds a Master’s in Illustration from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna and a Bachelor’s in Painting and Drawing from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, with additional studies in children’s book illustration in Bratislava. With over a decade of experience, she has worked as an art therapy intern and facilitator for IRARU, taught at Kunst VHS and Zeichenfabrik in Vienna, created murals and book illustrations, and co-founded Die Druckstube, an association for printmaking. Now, she’s also exploring digital marketing for the cultural sector, blending art and communication to reach more people.