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.
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
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.
Nigeria
DJ Switch
Cuba
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara
Saudi Arabia
Ms Saffaa
Myanmar, {Burma}
Thiha
United States
Dread Scott
Ukraine
Anna Kostritskaya
INSTAGRAM FEED
🇺🇸🇵🇸ARC and TransCultural Exchange (@transculturalexchange) strongly condemn far-right, Jewish nationalist group Betar US’ targeting of award-winning Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha (@mosab_abutoha) on social media, including its demand for his deportation.
The group also claims credit for the Trump Administration’s detention and threatened deportation of recently graduated Palestinian Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil.
This latest threat to Abu Toha must be considered a grave and present danger.
Read our statement!
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/statement/palestinian-poet-mosab-abu-toha-threatened-by-jewish-nationalist-group/
@penamerica @peninternational @syracuseu @aclu_nationwide #freemahmoudkhalil
🇺🇸🇵🇸ARC and TransCultural Exchange (@transculturalexchange) strongly condemn far-right, Jewish nationalist group Betar US’ targeting of award-winning Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha (@mosab_abutoha) on social media, including its demand for his deportation.
The group also claims credit for the Trump Administration’s detention and threatened deportation of recently graduated Palestinian Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil.
This latest threat to Abu Toha must be considered a grave and present danger.
Read our statement!
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/statement/palestinian-poet-mosab-abu-toha-threatened-by-jewish-nationalist-group/
@penamerica @peninternational @syracuseu @aclu_nationwide #freemahmoudkhalil
🛑🇺🇸“The administration’s abrupt decision to terminate and indefinitely suspend dozens of fine arts and preservation workers…places irreplaceable pieces of our national heritage at risk.”
ARC is deeply alarmed by reports that a majority of federal workers in the General Service Administration’s (GSA) fine arts and preservation department have been fired, as part of an ongoing purge of the federal workforce by the current U.S. administration.
Read our statement! https://artistsatriskconnection.org/statement/arc-warns-of-irreparable-damage-to-cultural-heritage-amid-gsa-layoffs/
@ncacensorship @aclu_nationwide @thefireorg
Artwork: "Flamingo" (1973), Alexander Calder.
🛑🇺🇸“The administration’s abrupt decision to terminate and indefinitely suspend dozens of fine arts and preservation workers…places irreplaceable pieces of our national heritage at risk.”
ARC is deeply alarmed by reports that a majority of federal workers in the General Service Administration’s (GSA) fine arts and preservation department have been fired, as part of an ongoing purge of the federal workforce by the current U.S. administration.
Read our statement! https://artistsatriskconnection.org/statement/arc-warns-of-irreparable-damage-to-cultural-heritage-amid-gsa-layoffs/
@ncacensorship @aclu_nationwide @thefireorg
Artwork: "Flamingo" (1973), Alexander Calder.
✊✨As part of their organizational launch @FreeOurArtHQ has asked fellow creative free expression organizations to share this graphic, and to comment on why artistic freedom matters.
Our art should never be used against us!
Learn more: www.freeourart.org #FreeOurArt
✊✨As part of their organizational launch @FreeOurArtHQ has asked fellow creative free expression organizations to share this graphic, and to comment on why artistic freedom matters.
Our art should never be used against us!
Learn more: www.freeourart.org #FreeOurArt
📢NOW LIVE!🌐
After months in the making, ARC is thrilled to share our new and improved site!
From region-specific pages 🌍 to special tabs for artist stories 🎨🖌, enhanced search functionality, and everything in between, the new design reinforces our commitment to protect, advocate, and amplify artists’ voices.
With this new site, ARC invites you to celebrate our more than seven years of supporting artists at risk and look towards the exciting initiatives yet to come.
▶️ artistsatriskconnection.org
📢NOW LIVE!🌐
After months in the making, ARC is thrilled to share our new and improved site!
From region-specific pages 🌍 to special tabs for artist stories 🎨🖌, enhanced search functionality, and everything in between, the new design reinforces our commitment to protect, advocate, and amplify artists’ voices.
With this new site, ARC invites you to celebrate our more than seven years of supporting artists at risk and look towards the exciting initiatives yet to come.
▶️ artistsatriskconnection.org
🇮🇷‼️“ARC strongly condemns the brutal flogging punishment carried out against Mehdi Yarrahi, which has been deemed inhumane and is strictly prohibited under international human rights law.”
🎤Iranian singer Mehdi Yarrahi (@mehdiyarrahi)–who was sentenced to two years of imprisonment for his song “Roosarita” (In Farsi, “Your headscarf”), which he released to mark the one year anniversary of the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement–received 74 lashes this week as part of a so-called “deal” to end the criminal charges against him.
Read our full statement! https://artistsatriskconnection.org/statement/arc-condemns-the-inhumane-flogging-of-iranian-musician-mehdi-yarrahi/
#womanlifefreedom #MasihAlinejad
🇮🇷‼️“ARC strongly condemns the brutal flogging punishment carried out against Mehdi Yarrahi, which has been deemed inhumane and is strictly prohibited under international human rights law.”
🎤Iranian singer Mehdi Yarrahi (@mehdiyarrahi)–who was sentenced to two years of imprisonment for his song “Roosarita” (In Farsi, “Your headscarf”), which he released to mark the one year anniversary of the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement–received 74 lashes this week as part of a so-called “deal” to end the criminal charges against him.
Read our full statement! https://artistsatriskconnection.org/statement/arc-condemns-the-inhumane-flogging-of-iranian-musician-mehdi-yarrahi/
#womanlifefreedom #MasihAlinejad
🌻🇺🇦Tune in tomorrow at 6:00pm Kyiv time (11:00am EST) for "Navigating the War as Artists in Ukraine: The Future of Emergency Support Programs," a special virtual event for the the launch of MOCA NGO`s new resource "Navigating the War as Artists in Ukraine: A Practical Resource."
Created with ARC`s support, the publication provides essential advice on ensuring both personal safety and the continuity of artistic practice amid the full-scale invasion. 80 of ARC`s own artist grantees have shared their lived experiences, adding to a collection of lessons learned about staying safe in a full-scale war. The report is available in English and Ukrainian.
The panel event will include speakers from MOCA NGO (@ukrainian_emergency_art_fund), the Ukrainian Museum of Contemporary Art (@umca.museum), @UNESCO, and ARC, as well as a musical performance from Ukrainian musician, soldier, and ARC grantee Max Robotov (@maxrobotov).
Don`t miss out on this crucial testimony from Ukraine`s artists and cultural workers!
Learn more and REGISTER: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/launch-event-and-panel-how-artists-in-ukraine-navigate-the-war
@peninternational @pen_ukraine @penamerica @umca.museum @ukrainian_institute @ukrainianinstitute @ukrainianpavilioninvenice @mystetskyiarsenal @pinchukartcentre
🌻🇺🇦Tune in tomorrow at 6:00pm Kyiv time (11:00am EST) for "Navigating the War as Artists in Ukraine: The Future of Emergency Support Programs," a special virtual event for the the launch of MOCA NGO`s new resource "Navigating the War as Artists in Ukraine: A Practical Resource."
Created with ARC`s support, the publication provides essential advice on ensuring both personal safety and the continuity of artistic practice amid the full-scale invasion. 80 of ARC`s own artist grantees have shared their lived experiences, adding to a collection of lessons learned about staying safe in a full-scale war. The report is available in English and Ukrainian.
The panel event will include speakers from MOCA NGO (@ukrainian_emergency_art_fund), the Ukrainian Museum of Contemporary Art (@umca.museum), @UNESCO, and ARC, as well as a musical performance from Ukrainian musician, soldier, and ARC grantee Max Robotov (@maxrobotov).
Don`t miss out on this crucial testimony from Ukraine`s artists and cultural workers!
Learn more and REGISTER: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/launch-event-and-panel-how-artists-in-ukraine-navigate-the-war
@peninternational @pen_ukraine @penamerica @umca.museum @ukrainian_institute @ukrainianinstitute @ukrainianpavilioninvenice @mystetskyiarsenal @pinchukartcentre
This Friday, ARC will host a panel “Art on the Frontlines: Navigating Risks and Fostering Resilience,” as part of Transcultural Exchange 2025!
The panel will explore central themes such as how artistic freedom is under growing threat from authoritarian regimes, the weaponization of mis/disinformation, and how artists on the frontlines of social justice movements are frequently targeted due to their powerful creative voice. Panelists` firsthand experiences will highlight the most prevalent challenges artists face and underscore the critical role of global support networks in safeguarding artists at risk and freedom of expression.
Read more about ARC`s participation:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/arc-at-transcultural-exchanges-2025-international-conference
@achirop @mosab_abutoha @taniabruguera @qudratwasefi
This Friday, ARC will host a panel “Art on the Frontlines: Navigating Risks and Fostering Resilience,” as part of Transcultural Exchange 2025!
The panel will explore central themes such as how artistic freedom is under growing threat from authoritarian regimes, the weaponization of mis/disinformation, and how artists on the frontlines of social justice movements are frequently targeted due to their powerful creative voice. Panelists` firsthand experiences will highlight the most prevalent challenges artists face and underscore the critical role of global support networks in safeguarding artists at risk and freedom of expression.
Read more about ARC`s participation:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/arc-at-transcultural-exchanges-2025-international-conference
@achirop @mosab_abutoha @taniabruguera @qudratwasefi
‼️“As this crusade against DEI programs accelerates, it is clear that these policies are simply a pretext to target voices who stray from the dominant narrative; namely, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, or women, and the institutions that support them.”
🇺🇸ARC forcefully condemns the recent “termination” of two scheduled exhibitions of predominantly Black and LGBTQIA+ artists at the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA), after they were classified as DEI-related content and “gender ideology” by the current U.S. administration.
✊We steadfastly stand against this assault on artistic freedom, the autonomy of cultural institutions, and the diversity of our artistic communities. Read our statement:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/arc-condemns-the-federal-defunding-of-black-and-lgbtqia-exhibitions
@oea_oficial
‼️“As this crusade against DEI programs accelerates, it is clear that these policies are simply a pretext to target voices who stray from the dominant narrative; namely, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, or women, and the institutions that support them.”
🇺🇸ARC forcefully condemns the recent “termination” of two scheduled exhibitions of predominantly Black and LGBTQIA+ artists at the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA), after they were classified as DEI-related content and “gender ideology” by the current U.S. administration.
✊We steadfastly stand against this assault on artistic freedom, the autonomy of cultural institutions, and the diversity of our artistic communities. Read our statement:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/arc-condemns-the-federal-defunding-of-black-and-lgbtqia-exhibitions
@oea_oficial
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