Campaigns Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2024 Abd El-Fattah, an award-winning British-Egyptian writer, software developer, prominent activist, and Honorary Member of English PEN, has endured years of arbitrary imprisonment on charges directly linked to his outspoken advocacy for human rights and free expression in Egypt. Voces Presas | Una Campaña ARC and PEN International, in partnership with Civil Rights Defenders (CRD), launch a new campaign to shine a light on the stories of imprisoned and harassed Cuban artists. The campaign, “Voces Presas” (Incarcerated Voices), is an online campaign that calls for the release of all imprisoned artists and political prisoners in Cuba and the respect and guarantee of artistic freedom on the island. Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2023 ARC and PEN International highlight Cuban poet and activist Maria Cristina Garrido Rodriguez for the annual Day of the Imprisoneed Writer, one of the four imprisoned writers recognized this year by PEN International, with Tibetan writer Go Sherab Gyatso, Ukrainian journalist Iryna Danylovych, and Moroccan journalist Soulaiman Raissouni. #ArtistsxArtists The #ArtistsxArtists campaign was launched by the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) to help raise awareness about challenges to artistic freedom and catalyze solidarity between artists and the art community. The campaign pairs established artists, emerging artists, and artists at risk—within and across disciplines—to create an unique art piece that engages pressing topics in creative expression and global human rights. The Power of Art in Hong Kong’s Protests Hong Kongers have turned art into a key part of their protest strategy, something that everyone can contribute to, regardless of age, skill, or profession. They are continuously proving the power of art to unite people, document and amplify injustice, and create meaningful social change. 
Statements
Israel Strikes Gaza Cafe Killing Dozens, Including Two Artists
ARC Condemns Iran’s Targeting and Harassment of Dissident Rapper Salehi Amid Escalating War
Whitney Museum Undermines Artistic Freedom with ISP Suspension and Associate Director Termination
White House Travel Ban Undercuts Free Speech, Open Inquiry While Sabotaging the United States as a Haven for Intellectual and Cultural Exchange
International Advocacy
ARC champions artistic freedom on a global scale, tackling the challenges that artists face around the world.
Meetings & Workshops
ARC organizes regional workshops and strategy meetings with artists and cultural workers to hear firsthand about their experiences, provide targeted capacity-building, and strengthen connections with partner organizations. We convene key stakeholders—arts institutions, funders, and policymakers—through global summits to assess threats, share solutions, and collectively advance artistic freedom worldwide..
U.N. Advocacy
ARC makes submissions on the state of artistic freedom and attacks on artists in countries under review to the UPR process and to UN Special Rapporteurs. We engage strategically with the UN to amplify artists’ voices, advocate for systemic change, and strengthen international recognition of artistic freedom as a fundamental and protected human right.
Action Plan
ARC is leading a global civil society–driven effort to develop a UN Action Plan on the Safety of Artists in Times of Emergency. In consultation with artists, cultural rights defenders, and partner organizations across regions, this participatory initiative aims to lay the groundwork for a coordinated international response to threats facing artists and build political momentum for formal international recognition.
Publications
Check out ARC’s recent publications and our curated showcase featuring powerful works from partner organizations that advocate for artistic freedom and uphold the fundamental rights of artists worldwide.
