Donar
F R E E
crear expresar mover

Our mission is to protect, promote, and foster freedom of artistic expression.

Dirigida por abogados especializados en inmigración y derechos humanos, Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) facilita la representación pro bono en materia de inmigración y la asistencia para el reasentamiento de artistas internacionales que son perseguidos o censurados.

Quiénes somos son

Qué hacemos

Our programs are designed to directly assist artists whose freedom of expression has been restricted, support artists who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing positive social change and fundamental human rights, and improve the laws, policies, and systems that shape artists’ lives and work.

Nuestro trabajo

Servicios jurídicos

Artistic Freedom Initiative provides wide-ranging support for persecuted or censored artists, including pro bono immigration representation for artists at risk who wish to travel or immigrate to the United States to pursue their creative endeavors. AFI’s in-house legal team and network of pro bono attorneys assist with talent-based visas, performance visas, cultural exchange visas, asylum petitions and refugee status for artists facing persecution or censorship in their home countries.

Más información sobre Legal Servicios

Servicios jurídicos

Aprender más

Asistencia para el reasentamiento

In addition to providing free legal services, Artistic Freedom Initiative takes a holistic approach to supporting artists, leading up to and following their arrival in the United States. To facilitate our artists’ resettlement, AFI obtains work authorizations for at risk artists. Further, AFI aids our artists in finding temporary housing and studio space, and matches them with employment, internship, education, residency, fellowship, and networking opportunities.

Learn about Resettlement Asistencia

Asistencia para el reasentamiento

Aprender más

Artistas por el cambio social

Designed to promote the work of artists who have dedicated themselves to advancing positive social change and human rights, AFI curates and produces multidisciplinary events that showcase the work of at-risk artists. Further, AFI secures the entry of activist artists into the United States for the specific purpose of enabling those artists to exhibit, perform, screen or otherwise display their work in a free and safe environment.

Learn about Artists for Social Cambiar

Artistas por el cambio social

Aprender más

Política global y defensa de causas

As authoritarianism and militarized violence continue to endanger artistic communities across the globe, AFI’s commitment to improving conditions for artists in their home countries takes on new urgency. In response to concerted efforts by governments to suppress free and open artistic expression, AFI launched our Global Policy & Advocacy program in 2024 to focus on research, policy, and public engagement that strengthens protections for artists, cultural workers, and cultural institutions.

Learn about Global Policy & Defensa

Política global y defensa de causas

Aprender más
Desplazarse
Nuestro impacto

AFI marca la diferencia

Since our founding in 2017, we have empowered thousands of artists at risk through pro bono immigration representation, resettlement assistance, public programs, and advocacy.

For individual artists, this holistic support means safety, stability, and the ability to continue creating and sharing their work. These outcomes generate ripple effects that enrich communities, foster cultural exchange, and advance artistic freedom as a fundamental human right. AFI’s impact extends beyond individual cases, contributing to a more just and vibrant global cultural ecosystem.

$6.5 M

Provided $6.5 million in direct pro bono assistance across our programs since inception.

4,400+

Supported 4,400 at-risk artists and their dependent family members since AFI’s founding.

60+

Artists in AFI’s network come from 60+ countries around the world.

40+

AFI artists work across 40+ creative disciplines.

280+ Months

Provided 280+ months of fully funded residency placements for artists at risk.

$800K

Partnered with 10 universities and arts institutions to co-create 15 fellowships for at-risk artists, providing over $800k in stipend support.

50+

Produced 50+ multidisciplinary arts festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and events showcasing at-risk artists’ work.

6

Published 6 reports on threats to freedom of expression around the world.

7

Filed 7 submissions to the Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations.

175+

Built a global network of 175+ partners who are committed to championing artistic freedom.

¿Necesita ayuda?

Solicitar asistencia

Artistic Freedom Initiative is currently accepting applications from at-risk artists in the United States and around the world seeking temporary and permanent residence in the US.  Additionally, for at-risk artists already located  in the United States, AFI is accepting applications from artists  who fear persecution in their home countries  and are seeking asylum in the US.

Obtener asistencia

Partners

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

Fundación SDK para la Dignidad Humana Logotipo

Apoye el trabajo de AFI

A medida que aumenta la censura y los artistas se convierten en blanco de ataques por decir la verdad al poder, proteger las voces creativas nunca ha sido tan urgente. Desde 2017, AFI ha apoyado a más de 2000 artistas valientes que siguen creando incluso cuando eso les pone en peligro. Al hacer una contribución hoy, amplías nuestros servicios directos y nuestra labor de defensa para garantizar la seguridad y la estabilidad de los artistas en riesgo, y les proporcionas los recursos que necesitan para permanecer en la primera línea de la resistencia creativa.