Resource for Artists
Resources for Ukrainian Artists
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to wreak havoc and displace millions of civilians, PEN America's Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) is deeply aware of how this crisis is impacting artists and cultural professionals from the region. We have compiled a list of global resources for artists from the region who require urgent assistance, including emergency funds and residency opportunities.
We encourage artists using this list to check the eligibility and criteria for any resources before applying, as they vary fund by fund.
This list will continue to grow and evolve as more resources become available. We also invite you to search through our database of more than 800 artists and human rights organizations with resources for persecuted artists. If you would like to send us additional resources, please contact arc@pen.org.
We stand in solidarity with Ukrainian artists and their right to create freely and without fear of persecution.
Table of Contents
I. Evacuation Resources
II. Fellowships and Residencies
III. Emergency Funds
IV. Digital Security
V. Resources for Scholars and Students
VI. Other Resource Lists
I. Evacuation and Relocation
UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY (UNHCR)
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. In emergency settings, UNHCR provides lifesaving support and protection to refugees fleeing conflict, as well as to internally displaced persons (IDPs).
- Hungary: https://bit.ly/3tfnh4M
- Poland: https://bit.ly/35ckvoR
- Romania: https://bit.ly/3HvhrkK
- Slovakia: https://bit.ly/3HkZzJi
- In any other country: https://bit.ly/3HsFiSf
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MIGRATION (IOM)
IOM is committed to saving lives and helping populations move out of harm’s way. They protect and assist those displaced or stranded by crisis, and support populations and their communities to recover. IOM hotline numbers and support contacts per country:
- Ukraine: 527 (free from mobile phones), 0800505501 (free from landline phones)
- Poland: +48 22 490 20 44
- Romania: the online support platform (developed by Code4Romania with support from IOM Romania) is now live
- Lithuania: +370 525 14352 is run by IOM's Migration Information Centre, also available through live chat on this website
- Slovakia: from abroad 00421 5263 0023, locally 0850 211 478, Telegram/Signal: 00421 908 767 853 (voice only), website
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (ICRC)
The ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. Alongside the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, they work to restore and maintain contact between family members who have been separated by conflict. Search services may accept appeals from citizens by phone (0 800 300 155). If you are calling from outside Ukraine, the number is +380 800 300 155. You can also email to: kyi_tracing_services@icrc.org
- France: Information for Ukrainians seeking to apply for temporary protection in France
- Germany: Residence Law Issues for People from Ukraine in Germany
- Norway: Protection and residence in Norway for people affected by the situation in Ukraine
NU BOYANA FILM STUDIOS AND B2Y PRODUCTIONS (BULGARIA)
Nu Boyana Film Studios and B2Y Productions are offering accommodation and jobs to film industry professionals from Ukraine as well as a pathway into the film industry. They are also able to provide transportation from border checkpoints and other cities within Bulgaria. Nu Boyana Film Studios is one of Europe's leading film production studios based in Sofia, Bulgaria. B2Y is a video service and production company based within the studio.
Contact: English: +359882524077 ; Pусский : +359882523477 ; email: community@nuboyana.com
II. Fellowships, Scholarships, and Residencies for Artists and Cultural Practitioners
EMERGENCY TEMPORARY RELOCATION RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL WORKERS
A list of short-term residencies at arts institutions in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and the UK. Compiled by Artists at Risk (AR).
KARNE KUNST / RESIDENCY ART IS URGENT
This is an emergency residency program for Ukrainian artists and families at the Karne Kunst in Germany. As an emergency, the programme can host until three artists (FLINT*) with their families for one month (between April – June) for free. to apply please send CV or portfolio by email to info@karnekunst.com.
Contact: Residency for Ukrainian artists. Art is urgent! - Karne Kunst
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART IN WARSAW (POLAND)
The Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw has redirected its resources to provide humanitarian aid to people fleeing Ukraine. At the moment their facilities are used as a sorting office for medical aid, which is shipped directly to a hospital in Ukraine. The Museum has launched three-month-long paid internships for 15 Ukrainian refugees. Together with their Ukrainian partners in Warsaw, they are transforming facilities at 3 Pańska Street into a cultural and integration centre for refugees fleeing the war. In a partnership with major humanitarian aid and pro-migrant NGO, Fundacja Ocalenie, the Museum will host an auction of artworks with all the proceeds to support refugees. They also share a petition to help Ukrainians : “Never Again War”
Contact: directly through their website
MENU ZONA RESIDENCY (LITHUANIA)
This is an emergency residency program in Lithuania for Ukrainian artists and families. Menu Zona Residency is a creative space in Klaipeda and Nida (Lithuania) dedicated to the experimentation, research, and dissemination of artistic practices in which both local and international artists come together. This residency program can host three artists with their families for one month (between May-August) for free. Accommodation, food, transportation, and materials are provided. The residency is looking for possibilities to find financial help for food, materials, and artist fees. Please send a CV and portfolio by 17 April 2022 to apply.
Contact : mezoresidency@gmail.com
This foundation supports artists and other members of the creative community of Ukraine, offering placements on the PAiR residency in Pāvilosta, Latvia. They will host up to four artists in March and four artists in April. Here, artists, researchers, and curators are encouraged to develop their practice, with a focus on interdisciplinary dialogue. The PAiR residency offers a studio, living space, access to the library and gallery, administrative support, and, if necessary, materials, tools, and research resources. The PAiR residency will cover travel costs to and from Pāvilosta, as well as accommodation. VV Foundation will also help with relocation, legal matters, and all related costs. To Apply, send a CV and portfolio.
Contact : info@vvfoundation.org / +37126400034
ASSOCIATION OF ROMANIAN CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERIES
This association invites artists in the fields of the visual and performing arts, filmmaking, research, sound, or any other disciplines to be part of the programme that takes place in Bucharest, Cluj, and Timisoara. It will provide accommodation and financial support during the stay. Each artist will be supported according to their individual needs. There will be no formal obligations, but the organisation is happy to support the practice of artists at risk in any possible way.
Contact : agacor.association@gmail.com
THE AGENCY OF ARTISTS IN EXILE
The agency of artists in exile (France) works to identify artists in exile from all origins and disciplines, accompanies them according to their situations and their needs, provides them with workspaces and puts them in contact with professionals (French and European network), in order to give them the means to practice their disciplines and to restructure themselves. The agency of artists in exile is also developing its own multidisciplinary festival, Visions d’exil (Visions of Exile), in cooperation with partner venues.
Contact: Workshop – agency of artists in exile (aa-e.org)
AID A - AID FOR ARTISTS IN EXILE
Aid A – Aid for Artist in Exile helps artists from anywhere in the world who are persecuted in their home countries for standing up for freedom of expression, human rights, and democracy, and as a result are being prevented from carrying out their creative work in the areas of theatre, fine art, literature, film, and music. You can reach out to them using this link: https://aid-a.com/en/contact/
The International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) is an independent organization of cities and regions offering shelter to writers and artists at risk, advancing freedom of expression, defending democratic values and promoting international solidarity. ICORN member cities offer long term, but temporary, shelter to those at risk as a direct consequence of their creative activities. ICORN is currently closed to applications, but you can find more information on their website. Please use the following email when applying for ICORN residency and for inquiries regarding applications to ICORN: application@icorn.org.
The Artist Protection Fund (APF) makes fellowship grants to threatened artists from any field of practice, and places them at host institutions in safe countries where they can continue their work and plan for their futures. Applications and submissions are accepted at any time throughout the year on a rolling basis.
Contact: Artist Protection Fund (iie.org)
The Martin Roth-Initiative aims to protect artists who are committed in their home country to the freedom of art, democracy and human rights by enabling temporary residence in Germany or third countries for the purpose of protecting those who are being persecuted.
Contact: application | Martin Roth initiative (martin-roth-initiative.de)
III. Emergency Funds for Artists, Creatives, and Cultural Practitioners
As a public-philanthropic partnership, the Culture of Solidarity Fund is to support cultural initiatives that, in the midst of turmoil and crisis, reinforce European solidarity and the idea of Europe as a shared public space. They are open for cultural emergency requests and joint European actions to stand with Ukraine. It specifically supports European cultural initiatives on: disinformation, misinformation, propaganda filter bubbles, fake news, and the ongoing war “infodemic;” individuals fleeing their homes and looking for shelter; forces of fragmentation by investing in artistic and cultural expressions.
How to apply: Send a short description of the activities and argumentation with the amount requested to cos@culturalfoundation.eu.
The Prince Claus Fund Network Partner VCRC/Kyiv Biennial has launched an emergency support initiative for the cultural community of Ukraine in need. The initiatives’ main goal is to help people who stay in Ukraine and to provide them with immediate financial support for their basic needs. If you are either in need of help or want to contribute to this effort you can contact the VCRC team via email and through their Facebook or Instagram. In addition, you can reach out to Prince Claus Fund Cultural Emergency Response programme to receive advice and first aid to cultural heritage that has been damaged or is under threat. Requests for assistance to protect heritage can be sent to cer@princeclausfund.nl.
Contact details: https://princeclausfund.org/in-solidarity-with-ukraine
INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF FILMMAKERS AT RISK (ICFR)
ICFR advocates for and to act in solidarity with filmmakers at risk. ICFR’s mandate also includes advocacy with governments to provide protective measures, or relocation and safe residency, to filmmakers at risk. ICFR will support Ukrainian filmmakers through lobbying the international film community for cases of filmmakers at risk, ICFR urges film professionals and organizations around the world to join them in their efforts and to support them as they try to be of use to their colleagues in such terrible times. In addition, ICFR will be working relentlessly to prepare its small emergency fund, to be able to help in legal fees or temporary relocation expenses, or any such small but necessary immediate funding.
Contact: contact@icfr.international / Solidarity with Ukraine — International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR)
Freemuse is an independent international non-governmental organization advocating for freedom of artistic expression and cultural diversity. Freemuse monitors violations to artistic freedom and carry out research, advocacy and campaigns. Freemuse also provides assistance to artists at risk through threats, attacks, imprisonments, or exile and require assistance. They do not provide direct humanitarian assistance. They assist artists through advocacy initiatives, individual and joint awareness campaigns, and by providing emergency financial assistance.
Contact: Artist Assistance (freemuse.org)
Protect Defenders offers emergency grants and temporary relocation grants to Human Rights Defenders. Find the application here.
URGENT ACTION FUND (UAF)
UAF's Rapid Response Program offers quick, flexible funding to respond to security threats or unexpected advocacy opportunities experienced by women, transgender, or gender non-conforming, activists and human rights defenders. Applicants can get up to $8,000 to use over three or six months. Apply here.
AGIR ENSEMBLE POUR LES DROITS DE L'HOMME
Agir Ensemble provides emergency funds, trauma services, relocation options and immigration/legal services to human rights defenders (and artists who fall into that category) at risk. Contact them at agir-ensemble@aedh.org.
Civil Rights Defenders offers many different programs including an emergency fund, free legal advice, as well as a database of defenders. In 2017 their emergency fund was used 49 times and helped 357 people in danger. Contact them at emergencyfund@civilrightsdefenders.org.
EUROPEAN INSTRUMENT FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS (EIDHR)
EIDHR provides emergency funds and grants for journalists and human rights defenders at risk. To apply, click here.
EURO-MEDITERRANEAN FOUNDATION OF SUPPORT TO HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
The Euro-Mediterranean Foundation provides grants and emergency funds to human rights defenders at risk in the South-Mediterranean region. To apply click here.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
The International Federation for Human Rights provides emergency funds to human rights defenders. Other assistance can include physical security, digital security, legal and medical support. To apply, click here.
FREEDOM HOUSE: LIFELINE EMBATTLED CSO ASSISTANCE FUND
Freedom House provides emergency grants for artists, HRDs, and CSOs who have an urgent need for assistance arising from threats to an artist, HRD, or CSO based on their human rights work. CSOs need not be officially registered but must be able to document a history of activism. To apply, click here.
Amnesty International provides emergency assistance/funding for victims and survivors of human rights violations or abuses.
Contact the program at reliefprogramme@amnesty.org.
Frontline Defenders protects human rights defenders at risk. It provides emergency support to those directly threatened, primarily through protection grants to organizations and individuals that help to improve security. Frontline Defenders has put in place an emergency call number that gives human rights defenders an option to be forwarded to someone speaking Arabic, English, French, Russian or Spanish and who will help determine how to best support in the urgent situation. Due to time differences, poor connectivity, and the significant amount of detail in the urgent case, it is preferable to send a message via secure and encrypted channel using the contact form below: Emergency Contact | Front Line Defenders
It is important to be reminded that Front Line Defenders only cover human rights defenders and does not cover artists/cultural professionals, though artists may also be human rights defenders.
Contact: Emergency Contact or Call: +353-1-210-0489
IV. Digital Security: Emergency Support
Key Digital Safety Information: Internet Shutdowns
Physical and Digital Safety: Arrest and Detention
Geared towards journalists but applicable more widely.
Safer Internet Access: VPN
What is it? A VPN is a tool you install on your computer or phone that encrypts your internet traffic (including your browser and apps) so that they can’t be read by others. It also allows you to access the internet via a server anywhere in the world, including outside your country.
Why do you need it? A VPN is good for accessing censored content and provides good (but not perfect) protection from external monitoring.
How to get it: Tunnelbear is a trustworthy VPN. PEN America has free codes (email vvilk@pen.org, cc jmohamed@pen.org).
Safer Internet Access: TOR
What is it? TOR is a tool that, similar to VPN, can be used to encrypt your internet traffic (including your browser and apps), but ALSO anonymizes your identity. It is more secure than VPN but can be slower.
Why do you need it? You should use TOR if you are conducting highly sensitive work and if it is especially important to protect your anonymity. You should also use it if you are not only worried about your local government surveilling you, but about the potential for multiple governments coordinating.
How to get it: Get a Tor bridge from their official Telegram bot: https://t.me/GetBridgesBot. Or use Snowflake. Step-by-step instructions here. If you’re stuck and need help, PEN American can connect you to experts who can help (email vvilk@pen.org and jmohamed@pen.org).
Protecting Websites from DOS/DDOS Attacks
What is it? If you run a website, it can come under a “Denial of Service” (DOS) or “Distributed Denial of Service” (DDOS) attack, where lots of bots try to access it repeatedly, which can slow down or even crash a website.
Why do you need it? Because DDOS attacks are cheap and easy to launch, if you run a site that could attract negative attention from political or criminal interests, you should consider protecting your sites from DDOS attacks, which are cheap, easy to launch, and often used against media outlets and NGOs.
How to get it: Cloudflare offers protection from DDOS attacks (email vvilk@pen.org and jmohamed@pen.org).
Accessing Twitter Safely
Safety: Twitter has outlined basic steps and emergency features you can use to protect your account from hacking and sabotage (Info in English and Ukrainian here).
Access: If you are trying to access Twitter in Russia, you can do so via TOR. Here’s detailed guidance.
How to do it: Twitter Safety Info in English and Ukrainian here. Twitter Access Info via TOR here. If you’re stuck and need help, Tor created a support channel in Russian: TorProjectSupportBot.
Accessing Facebook Safely
Safety: Facebook has outlined basic steps and emergency features you can use to protect your account from hacking and sabotage (Info in English and Ukrainian here).
Communicating Safely: Signal
What is it? If you’re communicating via text, audio, or video call, it’s much safer to use an “end-to-end encrypted” app. Signal “scrambles” your messages (so they can’t be read by others) and you can even set them to disappear automatically.
Why do you need it? Governments can surveil messages, audio, and video calls, which can put you and the other people you’re communicating with in danger.
How to get it: Signal is by far your safety and best option and it’s free. WhatsApp is also end-to-end encrypted, but it’s owned by Facebook. We strongly advise against using Telegram for sensitive communications, but if you need to use it, here’s excellent advice on how to minimize risk.
Communicating Safely: Email
It’s critically important to use an email service based outside of Russia, such as Gmail or Protonmail.
Accessing BBC (if main website censored)
1) The BBC has also launched two shortwave frequencies: at 15735KHz from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ukraine time (8 a.m. to 10 a.m. PT) and on 5875KHz from midnight to 2 a.m., Ukraine time (2 p.m. to 4 p.m. PT).
2) The BBC set up website on dark web. You can also set up TOR (see above) and then, instead of visiting bbc.co.uk/news or bbc.com/news, users of the Tor browser can visit the new site here:
ACCESS NOW - Top Digital Safety Tips in Ukrainian and Russian
What is it? OTF provides direct financial support for short-term urgent digital assistance when free expression has been repressed, as well as a list of technical services such as digital security support, digital attacks response, and connectivity issues response.
Who is it for? High-risk individuals and organizations such as bloggers, cyber activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.
How to get it: You can apply directly here (they will turn it around quickly) or you can reach out to PEN America and we will try to help you apply (vvilk@pen.org and jmohamed@pen.org)
Digital Safety Experts who can help:
● Access Now Helpline: help@accessnow.org
● CPJ Emergencies: emergencies@cpj.org
● Runa Sandvik in this tweet offers pro bono digital safety help and free VPN accounts
● Dutch Cloud Community is offering free technical assistance to Ukrainian civil society and government (including backups, virtual servers, hosting of websites, mail services, DDoS protection, etc.). Email: ukraine@dutchcloudcommunity.nl
● Viktorya Vilk vvilk@pen.org, Elodie Vialle: evialle@pen.org, Jeje Mohamed: jmohamed@pen.org
V. Resources for Scholars and Students
ASSOCIATION FOR SLAVIC, EAST EUROPEAN, AND EURASIAN STUDIES
ASEEES is working with the newly created International Task Force for Displaced Scholars (ITFDS), established by a group of scholars and graduate students. They have a list of resources and opportunities for scholars, with support from institutions and organizations in Germany, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and France, among others. For more information, email displaced.scholars@gmail.com.
Provides grants to international college students in the U.S. when natural disasters, war, or other crises threaten their education. Many face financial pressure to return home or drop out because their family circumstances have changed dramatically. IIE helps these students cover essential needs, including basic living expenses. They recently launched a Ukraine-specific round to provide financial support to Ukrainian students studying at U.S. colleges and universities.
Works with its global network of higher education institutions around the world to arrange short-term, temporary research and teaching positions for threatened scholars. SAR as an organization cannot offer emergency relocation/evacuation. They also provide advisory, referral, and career support services for scholars.
Apply for assistance
The Estonian Academy of Arts offers Ukrainian students free study opportunities in the field of Fine Arts, Design, Architecture, and Art Culture for the spring semester 2022. The placements will enable students to continue their studies in the fields of fine art, animation, photography, architecture, urban studies, interior architecture, interaction design, graphic design, design and crafts, cultural heritage (in English), and media graphics (in Russian). Both MA and BA level students can apply. The academy will help to organize housing and offer additional support with land transportation.
How to Apply:
Ukrainian students are welcome to apply by filling out this application form.For enquiries, use the email: international@artun.ee
#ScienceForUkraine is a community group of volunteer students and research scientists from academic institutions in Europe and around the world. They collect and disseminate information about support opportunities at the university, national, and international level for graduate students and researchers directly affiliated to an academic institution in Ukraine. If questions or difficulties arise, write to info@scienceforukraine.eu.
(Germany) is making grants totalling 2 million euros available for Ukrainian scholars. The initiative is also aimed at researchers from Russia and Belarus who for political reasons are being threatened or have to leave their country. Academic contact point for funding/grants: Dr. Birte Ruhardt, Gerda Henkel Foundation, Head of the Office of the Executive Board, ruhardt@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de
Through incentive funding, this programme host scientists and artists in exile in higher education and research institutions in France. The programme also helps them with administrative procedures and provides support with finding employment. Emergency financial assistance is put in place to support the stay of a Ukrainian artist and researcher and his/her family, if applicable, for a period of three months is offered to volunteer institutions.
Contact : PAUSE – Solidarité Ukraine – Programme PAUSE (college-de-france.fr)
EMERGENCY FUND FOR UKRAINIAN SCHOLARS
Emergency Fund for Ukrainian Scholars offers VM and STSM grants to Ukrainian scholars affected by the violence. They call all members of their network to disseminate this call as wide as possible and as soon as possible, to allow immediate distribution of the support. They will finish on 15th April.
Contact: info@nep4dissent.eu
The Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) arranges, funds, and supports fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars at partnering higher education institutions worldwide. They welcome the referrals of Ukrainian professors and researchers who face immediate threats to their security and scholarly work. They also welcome offers to host these scholars in temporary positions at higher education institutions in Europe, North America, and globally.
HILDE DOMIN STUDENTS AT RISK PROGRAMME
The programme serves to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe, who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational or other rights in their country of origin, and to provide these students and doctoral candidates with an opportunity to begin or complete a study or research degree at a higher education institution in Germany.
Nida Art Colony of Vilnius Academy of Arts on the Curonian Spit in Lithuania has space to host Ukrainian art institutional teams, artists, and culture professionals along with their families. It also offers full study courses for students to continue with their academic work. They can also help with transportation and logistics. Nida Art Colony operates all year round and receives about 700 people a year. It provides space for workshops, intensive courses, exhibitions, seminars, rehearsals, artist's talks, and screenings in its premises of 2,500 sq.m. Its activities can result in presentations, exhibitions, broadcasts, and publications.
Contact : info@nidacolony.lt
INSTITUTE OF LITERARY RESEARCH OF THE POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
They invite Ukrainian researchers interested in visiting the Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IBL PAN) to apply for a stay through the International Relation Department of the Polish Academy of Sciences. IBL PAN's departments are situated in Warsaw, Poznań and Toruń
Contact: kajetan.mojsak@ibl.waw.pl
SOKOŁOWSKO LABORATORIUM KULTURY: PRACTICE FOR UKRAINIAN (POLAND)
This initiative offers 4 internships to young people from Ukraine up to 30 years old in Sokolowsko, Poland.
Contact: fundacja@insitu.pl
VI. Additional Resource Lists
- ResArtis
- Contemporary Lynx: List of Art Residencies and Practices for Artists and Cultural Workers from Ukraine
- Culture Action Europe
- Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies
- Scholars at Risk
- List of labs supporting Ukrainian scientists
- On the Move
- Artists at Risk (AR / Perpetuum Mobile)
- Shevchenko Scientific Society
- Resources for People Fleeing Ukraine
- Resources to Help People Fleeing Ukraine