SILA was created at the initiative of the Boghossian Foundation, an institution renowned for its commitment to intercultural dialogue and its support of artistic practices from around the world. For more than thirty years, the Foundation has been leading philanthropic and social projects, notably in Armenia and Lebanon.

In 2010, the Foundation opened the Villa Empain in Brussels as a centre for art and dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures, presenting internationally acclaimed exhibitions, concerts and encounters, while also supporting artists through its residency programme and Art Prizes.

Through SILA, the Boghossian Foundation naturally extends its mission: to support craftsmanship, foster creativity and preserve valuable cultural traditions. SILA forms part of a broader vision — one that connects heritage, contemporary creation and transmission — by offering artisans a platform for visibility, experimentation and exchange.