Safety is an Art Form with CERF+ and Artists at Risk Connection

16 September 2026 | 3pm EDT
Hosted by CERF+

As threats to artistic and creative freedom continue to grow, artists and cultural workers are navigating an increasingly complex landscape of censorship, harassment, political pressure, financial insecurity, digital attacks, and other risks. Yet many artists lack practical tools to assess these risks and develop strategies to protect themselves and their work.

ARC – Artists at Risk Connection is developing a new Artist Risk Assessment Tool designed to help artists and cultural workers identify potential risks, strengthen their preparedness, and connect with practical resources and support before threats escalate.

Join us for an interactive workshop where participants will have an opportunity to explore an early version of the tool, test its approach, and provide feedback that will directly inform its development.

The session will begin with a brief overview from Patrick Bond, U.S. Program Officer at ARC, highlighting key findings from ARC’s National Artist Safety Survey and the research that has informed the tool’s design. Participants will then be guided through the draft risk assessment, with opportunities throughout the workshop to share their experiences, identify gaps, and suggest improvements.

This is a collaborative working session intended to ensure the tool reflects the diverse realities of artists and cultural workers and provides meaningful, practical guidance for navigating risk.

Whether you are an artist, cultural worker, arts administrator, advocate, or member of a support organization, your perspectives will help shape a resource designed to strengthen artist safety and artistic freedom.

During this interactive workshop, participants will:

• Learn about the research informing ARC’s Artist Risk Assessment Tool.
• Explore findings from ARC’s National Artist Safety Survey.
• Walk through a prototype of the risk assessment tool.
• Test the tool’s questions and structure
• Share feedback to help refine the tool before its pilot launch.
• Contribute to the development of practical resources that support artists facing risk.

Your participation will help ensure this new resource is grounded in the lived experiences of artists and responsive to the challenges they face today.

Speakers

Patrick Bond

Patrick Bond leads the U.S. Programs for the Artists at Risk Connection, including the recent National Artist Safety Survey, and the development of new safety services that are being shaped by this initiative. He has built a career in social and cultural non-profits, focusing on cultural rights, equity, and democracy. At Open Society Foundations, he managed major grantmaking initiatives on the Narrative and Culture Change team and led the Soros Equality Fellowship, supporting leaders advancing racial justice and democratic renewal. At New York University, he developed approaches to qualitative research, digital security, and data-driven collaboration. Earlier, he worked with cultural institutions to create public programs engaging diverse communities in dialogue on history and justice. He holds a Master’s in Experimental Humanities and Social Engagement from New York University and a Bachelor’s in History and Russian & Eastern European Studies from the University of Virginia.