APNA: Asia Protection Network for Artists

The Asia Protection Network for Artists (APNA) was created in 2024 with the intention of responding to the challenges facing artists, cultural workers and cultural rights defenders across Asia. Rising authoritarianism, new technologies and forms of persecution alongside the lack of proper documentation and monitoring of artistic freedom violations in the region, have set the stage for for APNA – a close-knit network/coalition of human rights and cultural organizations from the region, intending to strategize and provide and coordinate assistance to artists at risk in Asia, while also working towards upholding the right of artists and cultural workers to freely express themselves without fear. 

Purpose of the Network:

• • Coordinate the identification of resources and opportunities within the region to provide more effective response mechanisms for cultural professionals and artists at-risk in the region;
  • Help provide and coordinate rapid responses to artists at risk in Asia (South, Southeast, East and Central Asia) who require urgent assistance (which may take the form of emergency funding, legal assistance, psychosocial support or relocation, among others);
  • Support and initiate  programs in Asia which improve the status of at-risk-artists;
  • Create and support advocacy and campaigning initiatives that intend to uphold artistic freedom, and throw light on specific cases of violations in the region; 
  • Assist in the mapping and documentation of regional challenges such as self-censorship and mobility restrictions.