What we do
ARC – Artists at Risk Connection 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.
Uganda
Trinah Kakyo
Colombia
Colectiva Mujeres Muralistas
Senegal
Didier Awadi
Afghanistan
Zahra Abrahimi
Vietnam
Mai Khoi
Chad
Taigué Ahmed
Where we work
We support artists wherever they face danger or repression, working with more than 400 local and international partner organizations 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
Museums and cultural institutions around the world are facing growing pressure — from censorship and political interference to self-censorship and attacks on artistic and academic freedom.
Tomorrow, on June 2, ARC Executive Director Julie Trébault will join cultural leaders, museum professionals, and advocates in Paris and online for “Museums Under Pressure,” an evening debate hosted by ICOM France exploring the challenges facing museums in an increasingly polarized environment.
As part of ARC’s ongoing efforts to defend artistic freedom and cultural rights, the conversation will examine how museums and exhibition spaces can continue to foster civic dialogue, critical thinking, and the presentation of challenging or controversial works.
✨ Speakers include Souâd Belhaddad, Xavier de la Selle, Vincent Moisselin, Manon Six, and Julie Trébault, moderated by Hélène Jagot.
📍 6pm-8:30pm CET, 2 June 2026 | Ecole du Louvre, Paris & Online
🗣 Simultaneous interpretation available in English, French, and Spanish.
Register at the link in bio.
#ArtisticFreedom #MuseumsUnderPressure #CulturalRights #Museums #FreedomOfExpression #ICOMFrance
Museums and cultural institutions around the world are facing growing pressure — from censorship and political interference to self-censorship and attacks on artistic and academic freedom.
Tomorrow, on June 2, ARC Executive Director Julie Trébault will join cultural leaders, museum professionals, and advocates in Paris and online for “Museums Under Pressure,” an evening debate hosted by ICOM France exploring the challenges facing museums in an increasingly polarized environment.
As part of ARC’s ongoing efforts to defend artistic freedom and cultural rights, the conversation will examine how museums and exhibition spaces can continue to foster civic dialogue, critical thinking, and the presentation of challenging or controversial works.
✨ Speakers include Souâd Belhaddad, Xavier de la Selle, Vincent Moisselin, Manon Six, and Julie Trébault, moderated by Hélène Jagot.
📍 6pm-8:30pm CET, 2 June 2026 | Ecole du Louvre, Paris & Online
🗣 Simultaneous interpretation available in English, French, and Spanish.
Register at the link in bio.
#ArtisticFreedom #MuseumsUnderPressure #CulturalRights #Museums #FreedomOfExpression #ICOMFrance
Through ARC’s Cuban Migrant Artists Resilience Fellowship, filmmaker Fernando Fraguela Fosado (@palenque_films) and mentor Quinn Halleck (@quinn.halleck) are connected through an artist-to-artist exchange rooted in storytelling, creative growth, and solidarity.
Fernando, whose work explores identity, exile, spirituality, and resistance, shared:
"Quinn’s guidance has gone beyond the technical aspects of the visual effects required for my short film; he has guided me from an auteur perspective, with the empathy of a director who champions his own work while also thoroughly understanding the dynamics of the industry."
This is what building resilience can look like: artists supporting artists through mentorship, shared knowledge, and creative community.
Explore how ARC is building resilience through fellowships around the world by clicking the link in the bio.
#CreativeFreedom #ArtistsUnderThreat #ARCGlobal #BuildingResilience #SupportArtists #ArtForChange
Through ARC’s Cuban Migrant Artists Resilience Fellowship, filmmaker Fernando Fraguela Fosado (@palenque_films) and mentor Quinn Halleck (@quinn.halleck) are connected through an artist-to-artist exchange rooted in storytelling, creative growth, and solidarity.
Fernando, whose work explores identity, exile, spirituality, and resistance, shared:
"Quinn’s guidance has gone beyond the technical aspects of the visual effects required for my short film; he has guided me from an auteur perspective, with the empathy of a director who champions his own work while also thoroughly understanding the dynamics of the industry."
This is what building resilience can look like: artists supporting artists through mentorship, shared knowledge, and creative community.
Explore how ARC is building resilience through fellowships around the world by clicking the link in the bio.
#CreativeFreedom #ArtistsUnderThreat #ARCGlobal #BuildingResilience #SupportArtists #ArtForChange
Today, on the UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we’re reflecting on a powerful moment from September 2025 at #MONDIACULT2025 in Barcelona. @unesco
ARC’s Executive Director Julie Trébault joined global cultural leaders for “Weaving Cultural Futures: Artistic Freedom, Feminist Advocacy, Local Governance in Action” — a conversation exploring how artistic freedom, feminist advocacy, and local governance can work together to shape more equitable cultural futures.
As part of ARC’s ongoing efforts to advance artistic freedom within international cultural policy discussions, the event highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in defending cultural rights and supporting diverse artistic voices worldwide.
✨ Featured speakers included Jordi Pascual (@Jordipascual21), Oriol Martí Samba, Sally Abu Bakr (@sallyabubak), Ana Francis Mor (@anafrancismor), and Romina Bianchini Ferrero / Mujeres x La Cultura (@mujeresxlacultura).
Today, we reaffirm that artistic freedom is fundamental to cultural diversity and cultural rights. When artists and communities can create, express themselves, and participate in cultural life without fear, more inclusive and vibrant societies can thrive.
#CulturalDiversityDay #ArtisticFreedom #MONDIACULT2025 #CulturalRights #UNESCO #ArtistsAtRisk #Culture #HumanRights #Barcelona
Today, on the UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we’re reflecting on a powerful moment from September 2025 at #MONDIACULT2025 in Barcelona. @unesco
ARC’s Executive Director Julie Trébault joined global cultural leaders for “Weaving Cultural Futures: Artistic Freedom, Feminist Advocacy, Local Governance in Action” — a conversation exploring how artistic freedom, feminist advocacy, and local governance can work together to shape more equitable cultural futures.
As part of ARC’s ongoing efforts to advance artistic freedom within international cultural policy discussions, the event highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in defending cultural rights and supporting diverse artistic voices worldwide.
✨ Featured speakers included Jordi Pascual (@Jordipascual21), Oriol Martí Samba, Sally Abu Bakr (@sallyabubak), Ana Francis Mor (@anafrancismor), and Romina Bianchini Ferrero / Mujeres x La Cultura (@mujeresxlacultura).
Today, we reaffirm that artistic freedom is fundamental to cultural diversity and cultural rights. When artists and communities can create, express themselves, and participate in cultural life without fear, more inclusive and vibrant societies can thrive.
#CulturalDiversityDay #ArtisticFreedom #MONDIACULT2025 #CulturalRights #UNESCO #ArtistsAtRisk #Culture #HumanRights #Barcelona
Museums are not neutral spaces. They shape how societies remember, question, and imagine.
On #InternationalMuseumDay, ARC Executive Director Julie Trébault shares why cultural institutions have a responsibility to defend freedom of expression and historical memory in moments of growing censorship and political pressure.
“Protecting culture also means protecting the freedom to learn, to remember, and to imagine otherwise.”
@aamersofficial @icomofficiel
#Museums #ArtisticFreedom #FreedomOfExpression #ArtistsAtRiskConnection #CultureMatters #MuseumCommunity #HumanRights #ArtAndActivism #FreedomAndMemory #HistoryMatters #MuseumsMatter #PreserveHistory
Museums are not neutral spaces. They shape how societies remember, question, and imagine.
On #InternationalMuseumDay, ARC Executive Director Julie Trébault shares why cultural institutions have a responsibility to defend freedom of expression and historical memory in moments of growing censorship and political pressure.
“Protecting culture also means protecting the freedom to learn, to remember, and to imagine otherwise.”
@aamersofficial @icomofficiel
#Museums #ArtisticFreedom #FreedomOfExpression #ArtistsAtRiskConnection #CultureMatters #MuseumCommunity #HumanRights #ArtAndActivism #FreedomAndMemory #HistoryMatters #MuseumsMatter #PreserveHistory
Scenes from Frieze New York 2026. 🗽(@friezeofficial)
From emerging artists to works engaging questions of identity, displacement, resistance, and cultural memory, this year’s fair reflects many of the urgent conversations shaping contemporary art today.
At a moment of growing political and social uncertainty globally, spaces like Frieze continue to highlight how artists are helping communities process history, challenge dominant narratives, and imagine new possibilities.
Frieze New York is on view May 13–17 at The Shed.
#FriezeNewYork #ArtistsAtRiskConnection #ArtisticFreedom #ContemporaryArt #CreativeFreedom
Scenes from Frieze New York 2026. 🗽(@friezeofficial)
From emerging artists to works engaging questions of identity, displacement, resistance, and cultural memory, this year’s fair reflects many of the urgent conversations shaping contemporary art today.
At a moment of growing political and social uncertainty globally, spaces like Frieze continue to highlight how artists are helping communities process history, challenge dominant narratives, and imagine new possibilities.
Frieze New York is on view May 13–17 at The Shed.
#FriezeNewYork #ArtistsAtRiskConnection #ArtisticFreedom #ContemporaryArt #CreativeFreedom
79% of cultural professionals see AI as a threat to their livelihoods.
At the same time, access, infrastructure, and regulatory power remain deeply unequal. While countries in the Global North shape policies and platforms, many in the Global South are left navigating systems they did not design.
As artificial intelligence reshapes how culture is created, distributed, and monetized, the question is not only technological. It is about power, participation, and protection.
Who gets to define the future of culture?
And who is left out of that conversation?
At ARC, we see this as a cultural rights issue. International advocacy is essential to ensure artists are not only visible, but protected.
Read the full article by Viviana Rangel from La Silla Vacia (@lasillavaciaoficial) in the link in bio.
What does fair cultural governance look like to you?
***********
El 79% de los profesionales de la cultura percibe la inteligencia artificial como una amenaza para sus medios de vida.
Al mismo tiempo, el acceso, la infraestructura y el poder regulatorio siguen siendo profundamente desiguales. Mientras algunos países definen políticas y plataformas, muchos otros enfrentan sistemas que no diseñaron.
A medida que la inteligencia artificial transforma cómo se crea, distribuye y monetiza la cultura, la pregunta no es solo tecnológica. Es una cuestión de poder, participación y protección.
¿Quién define el futuro de la cultura
y quién queda fuera de esa conversación?
En ARC, entendemos esto como una cuestión de derechos culturales. La incidencia internacional es clave para que los artistas no solo sean visibles, sino protegidos.
Lee el artículo completo de Viviana Rangel en el enlace de la bio.
¿Qué significa para ti una gobernanza cultural justa?
#CreativeFreedom #CulturalRights #AIandCulture #GlobalSouth #ArtAndPower #FreedomOfExpression #InternationalAdvocacy
79% of cultural professionals see AI as a threat to their livelihoods.
At the same time, access, infrastructure, and regulatory power remain deeply unequal. While countries in the Global North shape policies and platforms, many in the Global South are left navigating systems they did not design.
As artificial intelligence reshapes how culture is created, distributed, and monetized, the question is not only technological. It is about power, participation, and protection.
Who gets to define the future of culture?
And who is left out of that conversation?
At ARC, we see this as a cultural rights issue. International advocacy is essential to ensure artists are not only visible, but protected.
Read the full article by Viviana Rangel from La Silla Vacia (@lasillavaciaoficial) in the link in bio.
What does fair cultural governance look like to you?
***********
El 79% de los profesionales de la cultura percibe la inteligencia artificial como una amenaza para sus medios de vida.
Al mismo tiempo, el acceso, la infraestructura y el poder regulatorio siguen siendo profundamente desiguales. Mientras algunos países definen políticas y plataformas, muchos otros enfrentan sistemas que no diseñaron.
A medida que la inteligencia artificial transforma cómo se crea, distribuye y monetiza la cultura, la pregunta no es solo tecnológica. Es una cuestión de poder, participación y protección.
¿Quién define el futuro de la cultura
y quién queda fuera de esa conversación?
En ARC, entendemos esto como una cuestión de derechos culturales. La incidencia internacional es clave para que los artistas no solo sean visibles, sino protegidos.
Lee el artículo completo de Viviana Rangel en el enlace de la bio.
¿Qué significa para ti una gobernanza cultural justa?
#CreativeFreedom #CulturalRights #AIandCulture #GlobalSouth #ArtAndPower #FreedomOfExpression #InternationalAdvocacy
🎨 ARC está lanzando una breve encuesta para escuchar directamente a artistas cubanos viviendo en el exilio, la migración o el desplazamiento.
Sus respuestas ayudarán a dar forma a futuras oportunidades, iniciativas profesionales y programas de apoyo a largo plazo para la comunidad artística cubana. ✨
🕐 10–15 minutos
🔒 Encuesta confidencial y anónima
📅La encuesta permanecerá abierta después del 15 de mayo
💵 Las personas que respondan antes del 15 de mayo participarán en un sorteo donde una (1) persona será seleccionada para recibir un estipendio de $100 USD.
📩 Escríbenos ‘ENCUESTA’ por DM o comenta abajo para recibir el enlace de la encuesta.
🤍 Ayúdanos a llegar a más artistas cubanos compartiendo esta publicación.
Gracias por ser parte de esta comunidad. Sus voces y experiencias realmente importan.
#SOSCuba #CubanArtists #ComunidadCubano #CubanMigrants #CMARF
🎨 ARC está lanzando una breve encuesta para escuchar directamente a artistas cubanos viviendo en el exilio, la migración o el desplazamiento.
Sus respuestas ayudarán a dar forma a futuras oportunidades, iniciativas profesionales y programas de apoyo a largo plazo para la comunidad artística cubana. ✨
🕐 10–15 minutos
🔒 Encuesta confidencial y anónima
📅La encuesta permanecerá abierta después del 15 de mayo
💵 Las personas que respondan antes del 15 de mayo participarán en un sorteo donde una (1) persona será seleccionada para recibir un estipendio de $100 USD.
📩 Escríbenos ‘ENCUESTA’ por DM o comenta abajo para recibir el enlace de la encuesta.
🤍 Ayúdanos a llegar a más artistas cubanos compartiendo esta publicación.
Gracias por ser parte de esta comunidad. Sus voces y experiencias realmente importan.
#SOSCuba #CubanArtists #ComunidadCubano #CubanMigrants #CMARF
Today, May 10, is the 70th birthday of multidisciplinary artist Gao Zhen. He is spending it in detention in China.
Nearly two years after his arrest, he remains imprisoned following a one-day trial, prosecuted under a law enacted long after the artworks in question were created.
Gao Zhen, of the Gao Brothers, is being punished for his artistic expression. His works, which critically examine history and power, have been seized, and his health is now deteriorating in detention without adequate medical care.
His family continues to face severe restrictions, including being barred from leaving the country.
ARC joins a global coalition of 51 organizations calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
Read the full joint letter in the link in our bio.
Art is not a crime. #FreeGaoZhen
#ArtIsNotACrime #FreedomOfExpression #ArtisticFreedom #StandWithArtists #HumanRights #GaoZhen #GaoBrothers #ArtistsAgainstCensorship #CreativeFreedom #SupportArtists
Today, May 10, is the 70th birthday of multidisciplinary artist Gao Zhen. He is spending it in detention in China.
Nearly two years after his arrest, he remains imprisoned following a one-day trial, prosecuted under a law enacted long after the artworks in question were created.
Gao Zhen, of the Gao Brothers, is being punished for his artistic expression. His works, which critically examine history and power, have been seized, and his health is now deteriorating in detention without adequate medical care.
His family continues to face severe restrictions, including being barred from leaving the country.
ARC joins a global coalition of 51 organizations calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
Read the full joint letter in the link in our bio.
Art is not a crime. #FreeGaoZhen
#ArtIsNotACrime #FreedomOfExpression #ArtisticFreedom #StandWithArtists #HumanRights #GaoZhen #GaoBrothers #ArtistsAgainstCensorship #CreativeFreedom #SupportArtists
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