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Who We Are

Who We Are

Our Mission

Led by immigration and human rights attorneys, Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) provides pro bono immigration representation and resettlement assistance for international artists at risk. Dedicated to safeguarding the right to artistic freedom, AFI was founded on the notion that artists are uniquely situated to positively and powerfully effect change, provided their voices 
can be heard.

As artists are increasingly censored, imprisoned, restricted from moving freely across borders, tortured, or even killed, it is more critical than ever that we safeguard the right to artistic freedom and zealously champion the courageous artists who exercise it.

to this end...

AFI directly assists artists who have experienced persecution, censorship, or other restrictions on their freedom of expression, and supports artists who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing progressive social change and fundamental human rights.

We work with immigrant artists to champion art produced in exile, advance creative cultural exchange, improve conditions for artists in their home countries, and safeguard their ability to express themselves creatively
through the arts.

Our History A holistic approach to protecting, promoting, and fostering artistic freedom.
  • AFI successfully files merit-based O and EB-1 visas, performance-based P visas, applications for permanent residence, naturalization, work authorization, and petitions for asylum.
  • We build coalition- and artist-led residencies and incubators that empower at-risk artists to develop their careers, produce new work, build community, and provide peer-to-peer mentorship.
  • AFI co-creates paid fellowships for at-risk artists with prestigious institutions such as The New School, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Juilliard School, The Smithsonian, Stanford, Berkeley, and New York Film Academy.
  • We curate and produce arts festivals, concerts, exhibitions and events that platform and promote the works of hundreds of AFI artists to audiences worldwide.
  • AFI leads policy and strategic litigation efforts to advance artistic freedom globally, contributing to UN resolutions, joint statements, domestic and regional legislation, Universal Periodic Review (UPR) processes, and other key instruments.
  • ​​AFI successfully negotiated language on artistic freedom and protection of cultural workers in 6 country resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council, and co-drafted the Bratislava Declaration calling for EU legal safeguards for artistic freedom.
  • AFI has been invited to share expertise on artistic freedom at international arts and human rights conferences worldwide.
  • Our work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, New York Magazine, Gagosian, The Art Newspaper, and Euronews.

Awards & Accomplishments

AFI’s work has been recognized for its contribution to advancing artistic freedom and protecting artists at risk. These awards reflect the rigor, consistency, and impact of our research, advocacy, and artist support efforts and signal the trust placed in AFI by peer institutions and partners.

  • Global Pluralism Award

    In 2025, AFI was named a laureate of the Global Pluralism Award. We were recognized for our outstanding legal services and advocacy for international artists at risk.

  • globalFEST Trouble Worldwide Award

    AFI is honored to be the 2022 recipient of the globalFEST Trouble Worldwide Award. This award goes to a non-performing professional or organization that has made an indisputable impact on the global music field through risk-taking, innovation, and tireless commitment. AFI’s Co-Executive Directors Ashley Tucker and Sanjay Sethi were named winners of the 2022 Award alongside AFI. The award recognizes AFI’s dedication to safeguarding artistic freedom and championing at-risk artists in innovative and impactful ways.

Working Across Regions

AFI

Brooklyn, NY, US

With Brooklyn, New York, as its base of operations, AFI serves as a global beacon for artistic freedom, supporting artists facing censorship, persecution, and displacement.

ILA Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland

ILA (Initiative pour la Liberté Artistique) is an independent organization based in Geneva, working in close affiliation with AFI, to advance artistic freedom internationally.

Partners

To continue in our mission, Artistic Freedom Initiative depends on the partnership of those committed to protecting human rights and the arts.

Get Involved

AFI is proud to have built a network spanning 140+ non-profit, academic, and institutional partners, with whom we catalyze support for artists at risk, freedom of expression, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Contact us to get involved.

Contact Us