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.
Chad
Taigué Ahmed
Hong Kong
Franki C.
Nigeria
DJ Switch
United States
Dread Scott
China
Rahima Mahmut
Turkey
Aslı Erdoğan
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
🇰🇷📢 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
🌟 Meet the first two cohorts of the Cuban Migrant Artists Resilience Fellowship!
In this third edition, the new fellows will have the opportunity to exhibit alongside those who participated in previous years.
📌 Applications open here: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/cuban-migrant-artists-resilience-fellowship/
#CubanArt #ResilienceFellowship #CubanMigrantArtists #ARCalumni
🌟 Meet the first two cohorts of the Cuban Migrant Artists Resilience Fellowship!
In this third edition, the new fellows will have the opportunity to exhibit alongside those who participated in previous years.
📌 Applications open here: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/cuban-migrant-artists-resilience-fellowship/
#CubanArt #ResilienceFellowship #CubanMigrantArtists #ARCalumni
What does it mean to be free today as an artist or cultural worker in Europe?
Earlier this month, at the Forum Europe Créative 2025, our roundtable “Être libre : garantir les libertés artistiques et culturelles en Europe” brought together public institutions, European policymakers, researchers, civil society, and media leaders to unpack one urgent question: how do we protect artistic freedom in a rapidly shifting democratic landscape?
🎤 With contributions from:
- Paul Rechter, Ministère de la Culture (France)
- Catherine Magnant, European Commission (europeancommission)
- Sophie Valais, European Audiovisual Observatory - Observatoire européen de l`audiovisuel (@europeanaudiovisualobservatory)
- Laurent Bigarella, Reset! / Arty Farty (@reset_network/ @arty.farty.eu)
- Thibaut Bruttin, Reporters sans frontières / Reporters Without Borders / RSF (@rsfinternational)
Moderated by Julie Trébault, ARC Executive Director, the discussion highlighted a shared conclusion: protecting artistic freedom is not a luxury, but a democratic imperative.
Thank you to Relais Culture Europe for hosting this vital conversation, and to all participants for their clarity, courage, and commitment.
Learn more about our participation:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/.../arc-forum-europe.../
#ArtisticFreedom #FreedomOfExpression #CultureAndDemocracy #EuropeCreative #CulturePolicy #ForumEuropeCréative
What does it mean to be free today as an artist or cultural worker in Europe?
Earlier this month, at the Forum Europe Créative 2025, our roundtable “Être libre : garantir les libertés artistiques et culturelles en Europe” brought together public institutions, European policymakers, researchers, civil society, and media leaders to unpack one urgent question: how do we protect artistic freedom in a rapidly shifting democratic landscape?
🎤 With contributions from:
- Paul Rechter, Ministère de la Culture (France)
- Catherine Magnant, European Commission (europeancommission)
- Sophie Valais, European Audiovisual Observatory - Observatoire européen de l`audiovisuel (@europeanaudiovisualobservatory)
- Laurent Bigarella, Reset! / Arty Farty (@reset_network/ @arty.farty.eu)
- Thibaut Bruttin, Reporters sans frontières / Reporters Without Borders / RSF (@rsfinternational)
Moderated by Julie Trébault, ARC Executive Director, the discussion highlighted a shared conclusion: protecting artistic freedom is not a luxury, but a democratic imperative.
Thank you to Relais Culture Europe for hosting this vital conversation, and to all participants for their clarity, courage, and commitment.
Learn more about our participation:
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/.../arc-forum-europe.../
#ArtisticFreedom #FreedomOfExpression #CultureAndDemocracy #EuropeCreative #CulturePolicy #ForumEuropeCréative
🚨 ARC condemns the violent arrest of Iranian artists and human rights defenders.
Earlier today, photographer Aliyeh Motalebzadeh, visual artist & activist Sepideh Gholian, and writer Abolfazl Abri were violently detained at a peaceful memorial in Mashhad honoring human rights lawyer Khosro Alikordi, whose death in custody has raised widespread concern.
They were arrested alongside many others, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
⚖️ ARC calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
🎨✍🏽Artists in Iran continue to face intimidation, censorship, and state violence simply for creating, speaking, and resisting.
🌍 Artistic freedom is a human right.
📸 Image credit: @centerforhumanrights (CHRI)
#standwithartists #iran #artisticfreedom #humanrightsviolations #freethemall #StopRepression #iranprotests #womenlifefreedom #artisresistance
@peninternational @amnesty @article19org @hrf @penamerica @humanrightswatch @hyperallergic @guardian
🚨 ARC condemns the violent arrest of Iranian artists and human rights defenders.
Earlier today, photographer Aliyeh Motalebzadeh, visual artist & activist Sepideh Gholian, and writer Abolfazl Abri were violently detained at a peaceful memorial in Mashhad honoring human rights lawyer Khosro Alikordi, whose death in custody has raised widespread concern.
They were arrested alongside many others, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
⚖️ ARC calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
🎨✍🏽Artists in Iran continue to face intimidation, censorship, and state violence simply for creating, speaking, and resisting.
🌍 Artistic freedom is a human right.
📸 Image credit: @centerforhumanrights (CHRI)
#standwithartists #iran #artisticfreedom #humanrightsviolations #freethemall #StopRepression #iranprotests #womenlifefreedom #artisresistance
@peninternational @amnesty @article19org @hrf @penamerica @humanrightswatch @hyperallergic @guardian
🌍✨ Human Rights Day: "Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials"
Today, ARC honors five powerful artists whose work advances justice, resilience, and human dignity:
🇵🇸 Doha Kahlout
🇨🇺 Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara
🇮🇷 Samaneh Atef
🇺🇦 Nikita Kadan
🇦🇫 Zahra Abrahimi
These artists remind us that human rights are not optional—they are our essential to our everyday. ✊🎨
🔗 Read their full profiles: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/stories?category=Artist%20Profile&page=1
#HumanRightsDay #EverydayEssentials #ArtForChange #ArtistsAtRisk #CreativityForJustice #UN
🌍✨ Human Rights Day: "Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials"
Today, ARC honors five powerful artists whose work advances justice, resilience, and human dignity:
🇵🇸 Doha Kahlout
🇨🇺 Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara
🇮🇷 Samaneh Atef
🇺🇦 Nikita Kadan
🇦🇫 Zahra Abrahimi
These artists remind us that human rights are not optional—they are our essential to our everyday. ✊🎨
🔗 Read their full profiles: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/stories?category=Artist%20Profile&page=1
#HumanRightsDay #EverydayEssentials #ArtForChange #ArtistsAtRisk #CreativityForJustice #UN
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