What we do
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) defends and advances the right to artistic freedom, providing practical resources and support to artists and cultural workers, so they can live and work safely, free from fear.
Protect
ARC provides direct assistance to at-risk artists and connects them with an international network of organizations and resources.
Advocate
ARC monitors, documents, and advocates for artists targeted for their creative expression, social justice efforts, or human rights work. ARC defends and promotes artistic freedom around the world.
Amplify
ARC raises awareness about the challenges facing artists and cultural workers, and leads global calls for safeguarding the right to artistic freedom through storytelling, campaigns, publications, podcasts, and events.
Featured news from ARC
Artist
stories
Stories of at-risk artists from all over the world who are committed to protecting their right to freedom of expression and using their art to fight for justice.
Vietnam
Mai Khoi
Chad
Taigué Ahmed
Hong Kong
Franki C.
Nigeria
DJ Switch
United States
Dread Scott
China
Rahima Mahmut
Exhibitions
The Art of Resistance:
Contemporary Art from
Russia & Belarus
Curated by Vera Shengalia
Where we work
We work wherever artists face danger or repression, collaborating with local and international partners to ensure that no creative voice is silenced, regardless of geography or circumstances.
Africa
Latin America & The Caribbean
Asia & The Pacific
Middle East & North Africa
Europe
North America
INSTAGRAM FEED
“I believe it is regrettable that many Venezuelan artists are not condemning the military intervention of the USA in Venezuela, especially artists addressing geopolitical issues in their work and assuming postcolonial stances. I have actively participated in the opposition to Chavismo since 2003… I still oppose the regime but this does not mean I support any foreign intervention in the country… Venezuela as any other country`s sovereignty must be respected.”
— Javier Téllez, New York City-based artist from Valencia, Venezuela
ARC is sharing this Hyperallergic (@hyperallergic) piece to foreground five Venezuelan artists who have lived through repression, economic collapse, exile, and loss—and who continue to speak despite the risks. Their perspectives do not always neatly cohere, and they should not.
The artists featured in this piece offer clear, principled perspectives grounded in lived experience and long-standing opposition to authoritarian rule. Their work has often served as a form of resistance and documentation. At the same time, these Venezuelan artists also insist–clearly and urgently–that Venezuelan sovereignty must be respected and that unilateral military action by the United States contravenes international law and carries dangerous, ulterior motives.
At ARC, we believe the reflections of Venezuelan artists are especially valuable now. They resist binary narratives and foreground the complex realities faced by their communities. Their voices remind us that lasting transformation must come from Venezuelans themselves, rooted in justice, dignity, and self-determination.
Read the full piece: Hyperallergic — “Five Venezuelan Artists Respond to US Attacks:” https://hyperallergic.com/five-venezuelan-artists.../...
Image credit: Shadow Play, 2014. Courtesy of the artist and Peter Kilchmann Galerie, Zurich.
#Venezuela #ArtistsSpeak #CulturalVoices #ArtAndJustice #ArtisticFreedom #CulturalRights
“I believe it is regrettable that many Venezuelan artists are not condemning the military intervention of the USA in Venezuela, especially artists addressing geopolitical issues in their work and assuming postcolonial stances. I have actively participated in the opposition to Chavismo since 2003… I still oppose the regime but this does not mean I support any foreign intervention in the country… Venezuela as any other country`s sovereignty must be respected.”
— Javier Téllez, New York City-based artist from Valencia, Venezuela
ARC is sharing this Hyperallergic (@hyperallergic) piece to foreground five Venezuelan artists who have lived through repression, economic collapse, exile, and loss—and who continue to speak despite the risks. Their perspectives do not always neatly cohere, and they should not.
The artists featured in this piece offer clear, principled perspectives grounded in lived experience and long-standing opposition to authoritarian rule. Their work has often served as a form of resistance and documentation. At the same time, these Venezuelan artists also insist–clearly and urgently–that Venezuelan sovereignty must be respected and that unilateral military action by the United States contravenes international law and carries dangerous, ulterior motives.
At ARC, we believe the reflections of Venezuelan artists are especially valuable now. They resist binary narratives and foreground the complex realities faced by their communities. Their voices remind us that lasting transformation must come from Venezuelans themselves, rooted in justice, dignity, and self-determination.
Read the full piece: Hyperallergic — “Five Venezuelan Artists Respond to US Attacks:” https://hyperallergic.com/five-venezuelan-artists.../...
Image credit: Shadow Play, 2014. Courtesy of the artist and Peter Kilchmann Galerie, Zurich.
#Venezuela #ArtistsSpeak #CulturalVoices #ArtAndJustice #ArtisticFreedom #CulturalRights
📢 ARC in the press—Reflecting on last year.
As we get started in the new year, ARC is looking back at moments throughout 2025 when we’ve been featured in the press.
📰 Today, we highlight ARC’s feature in La Lettre du Musicien, where Executive Director Julie Trébault spoke about efforts to impose ideological control over publicly funded cultural institutions—and how artists continue to resist.
The article explores the impact on classical music and the importance of cross-border solidarity in defending artistic freedom.
🔗 Read the full article:
https://lalettredumusicien.fr/article/face-a-trump-le-classique-souffre-mais-resiste-8731
#YearInReview #ArtisticFreedom #FreeExpression #ARCinThePress
📢 ARC in the press—Reflecting on last year.
As we get started in the new year, ARC is looking back at moments throughout 2025 when we’ve been featured in the press.
📰 Today, we highlight ARC’s feature in La Lettre du Musicien, where Executive Director Julie Trébault spoke about efforts to impose ideological control over publicly funded cultural institutions—and how artists continue to resist.
The article explores the impact on classical music and the importance of cross-border solidarity in defending artistic freedom.
🔗 Read the full article:
https://lalettredumusicien.fr/article/face-a-trump-le-classique-souffre-mais-resiste-8731
#YearInReview #ArtisticFreedom #FreeExpression #ARCinThePress
“Safety is never a promise. It is just a way to get me to compromise.” — @badiucao
Chinese political cartoonist Badiucao uses sharp visual satire to challenge censorship, state violence, and repression. After years of working anonymously to protect his family, he continues to create work that refuses silence and insists on artistic freedom.
📖 Read his story: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/artist-voice/badiucao-2/
Image credit: "Free Jimmy Lai," 2025. Courtesy of the artist.
#Badiucao #ArtIsPower #ArtistSpotlight #Artivism
“Safety is never a promise. It is just a way to get me to compromise.” — @badiucao
Chinese political cartoonist Badiucao uses sharp visual satire to challenge censorship, state violence, and repression. After years of working anonymously to protect his family, he continues to create work that refuses silence and insists on artistic freedom.
📖 Read his story: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/artist-voice/badiucao-2/
Image credit: "Free Jimmy Lai," 2025. Courtesy of the artist.
#Badiucao #ArtIsPower #ArtistSpotlight #Artivism
🌟 HAPPY NEW YEAR from ARC! 💫
As ARC steps into 2026, we confront a world marked by armed conflicts, rising authoritarianism, and shrinking space for artistic and cultural expression, but we move forward, with hope and determination.
Artistic freedom is not abstract. It is a cornerstone of human rights, a source of resilience, and a powerful catalyst for change. ARC’s work is rooted in supporting and defending artists and cultural workers at risk, mobilizing collective and coordinated protection, and championing the transformative power of artistic expression.
🫂 While the challenges ahead may feel daunting, one truth remains: it begins with us. Standing together—visual artists, musicians, dancers, poets, cultural workers, and creatives of all kinds—we are numerous, resilient, and enduring.
✨ Here’s to courage, collaboration, and hope in this new year.
#HappyNewYear #2026 #ArtisticFreedom #HumanRights #CreativeResistance #TogetherWeStand 🌏✨
🌟 HAPPY NEW YEAR from ARC! 💫
As ARC steps into 2026, we confront a world marked by armed conflicts, rising authoritarianism, and shrinking space for artistic and cultural expression, but we move forward, with hope and determination.
Artistic freedom is not abstract. It is a cornerstone of human rights, a source of resilience, and a powerful catalyst for change. ARC’s work is rooted in supporting and defending artists and cultural workers at risk, mobilizing collective and coordinated protection, and championing the transformative power of artistic expression.
🫂 While the challenges ahead may feel daunting, one truth remains: it begins with us. Standing together—visual artists, musicians, dancers, poets, cultural workers, and creatives of all kinds—we are numerous, resilient, and enduring.
✨ Here’s to courage, collaboration, and hope in this new year.
#HappyNewYear #2026 #ArtisticFreedom #HumanRights #CreativeResistance #TogetherWeStand 🌏✨
🇰🇷📢 ARC joins ICFR call: Drop all charges against Jung Yoon-suk!
ARC has signed a joint-statement with the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk and global partners urging Korean authorities to drop all charges against South Korean filmmaker Jung Yoon-suk.
Jung was charged after documenting civil unrest outside Seoul’s Western District Court, and now faces legal penalties and a lengthy prison sentence. His prosecution, simply for acting in the public interest, sets a dangerous precedent for filmmakers and artistic expression more broadly.
Read the full joint statement:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/.../drop-all-charges.../
@filmmakersatrisk @iffr @idaorg @freemuse.98 @idfafestival
#ArtisticFreedom #FreeJungYoonSuk #ArtistsAtRisk
🇰🇷📢 ARC joins ICFR call: Drop all charges against Jung Yoon-suk!
ARC has signed a joint-statement with the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk and global partners urging Korean authorities to drop all charges against South Korean filmmaker Jung Yoon-suk.
Jung was charged after documenting civil unrest outside Seoul’s Western District Court, and now faces legal penalties and a lengthy prison sentence. His prosecution, simply for acting in the public interest, sets a dangerous precedent for filmmakers and artistic expression more broadly.
Read the full joint statement:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/.../drop-all-charges.../
@filmmakersatrisk @iffr @idaorg @freemuse.98 @idfafestival
#ArtisticFreedom #FreeJungYoonSuk #ArtistsAtRisk
As we near the end of 2025, ARC is taking a moment to reflect on milestones that reminded us why this work matters.
✨ Today, we highlight the release this year of Alaa Abd El Fattah (@alaa.abd.el.fattah)
After years of unjust imprisonment in Egypt—including continued detention despite having served his arbitrary sentence—Alaa’s release in 2025 stands as a testament to the impact of sustained advocacy, international pressure, and global solidarity.
📄 Read our joint statement issued prior to his release:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/statement/alaa-abd-el-fattah-must-be-released-this-month-at-the-end-of-his-prison-sentence/
We celebrate this moment while remembering the many artists and writers who remain unjustly detained.
Image Credit: Sayed Hassan/Getty Images
#YearInReview #FreeAlaa #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression
As we near the end of 2025, ARC is taking a moment to reflect on milestones that reminded us why this work matters.
✨ Today, we highlight the release this year of Alaa Abd El Fattah (@alaa.abd.el.fattah)
After years of unjust imprisonment in Egypt—including continued detention despite having served his arbitrary sentence—Alaa’s release in 2025 stands as a testament to the impact of sustained advocacy, international pressure, and global solidarity.
📄 Read our joint statement issued prior to his release:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/statement/alaa-abd-el-fattah-must-be-released-this-month-at-the-end-of-his-prison-sentence/
We celebrate this moment while remembering the many artists and writers who remain unjustly detained.
Image Credit: Sayed Hassan/Getty Images
#YearInReview #FreeAlaa #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression
⏰🔥 Only 2 DAYS LEFT to apply to ARC’s Cuban Migrant Artists Resilience Fellowship!
Don’t miss the chance to receive support to advance your practice, connect with fellow artists in the diaspora, and strengthen your career through professional guidance and tailored resources.
Submit your application through our website:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/cuban-migrant-artists-resilience-fellowship/
#ResilienceFellowship #CubanArt #CubanMigrantArtists #LastDays
⏰🔥 Only 2 DAYS LEFT to apply to ARC’s Cuban Migrant Artists Resilience Fellowship!
Don’t miss the chance to receive support to advance your practice, connect with fellow artists in the diaspora, and strengthen your career through professional guidance and tailored resources.
Submit your application through our website:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/cuban-migrant-artists-resilience-fellowship/
#ResilienceFellowship #CubanArt #CubanMigrantArtists #LastDays
“I didn’t plan to become an activist… The artistic products are tools to push for changing laws.” — Zeina Daccache (@zeinadaccachelebanon)
Lebanese drama therapist and filmmaker Zeina Daccache uses theater inside prisons to help incarcerated people reclaim their voices—and to advocate for legal reform. Her work has contributed to concrete changes in Lebanese law, proving that art can be a powerful force for justice.
Read her story: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/artist-voice/zeina-daccache/
Image courtesy of the artist.
#ZeinaDaccache #ArtistSpotlight #ArtForJustice #CreativeFreedom
“I didn’t plan to become an activist… The artistic products are tools to push for changing laws.” — Zeina Daccache (@zeinadaccachelebanon)
Lebanese drama therapist and filmmaker Zeina Daccache uses theater inside prisons to help incarcerated people reclaim their voices—and to advocate for legal reform. Her work has contributed to concrete changes in Lebanese law, proving that art can be a powerful force for justice.
Read her story: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/artist-voice/zeina-daccache/
Image courtesy of the artist.
#ZeinaDaccache #ArtistSpotlight #ArtForJustice #CreativeFreedom
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