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Our Work

Across borders and disciplines, Artistic Freedom Initiative champions artists facing censorship, persecution, and displacement, and advances artistic freedom through direct support, research, and advocacy.

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

Artistic freedom is a fundamental human right essential to cultural development and the functioning of a free society. When artists can express themselves freely, they contribute to the exchange of ideas and opinions, elevate social and political discourse, and play a critical role in promoting tolerance, peace and social justice.  

Artistic Freedom Initiative’s mission is to protect, promote, and foster freedom of artistic expression. 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.

What We Do

Our programs provide coordinated, holistic support for artists at risk, addressing their needs at every stage—from legal protection and resettlement to public engagement and advocacy. Together, they empower artists whose freedom has been restricted, amplify those advancing positive social change, and shape the policies and systems that impact artistic expression worldwide.

Legal Services

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.

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Legal Services

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Resettlement Assistance

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.

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Resettlement Assistance

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Artists for Social Change

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.

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Artists for Social Change

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Global Policy & Advocacy

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.

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Global Policy & Advocacy

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Apply for Assistance

If you are an artist facing risk, persecution, or displacement, learn how AFI can support you and how to apply.

Support AFI’s Work

As censorship rises and artists are targeted for speaking truth to power, protecting creative voices has never been more urgent. Since 2017, AFI has supported over 2,000 courageous artists who continue making art even when it places them at risk. Your contribution ensures artists can keep creating, sharing, and inspiring change—protecting both their voices and the right to artistic freedom worldwide.