ARTISTS at RISK (AR)

ARTISTS at RISK​ (AR) is a global institution at the intersection of human rights and the arts, dedicated to mapping the field of persecuted visual art practitioners, facilitating their safe passage from their countries of origin, hosting them at AR-Safe Haven Residencies and curating related projects such as the AR Pavilion and MOBILE Talks.

This includes AR-Safe Haven Helsinki, launched in 2013 and receiving long-term core funding from the City of Helsinki since 2016, whose partners include PEN Finland, the Finnish Musicians’ Union, the Finnish Musicians' Council, the Finnish Artists’ Union, the Finnish National Theatre and the Anna Lindh Foundation, among many others. Kone Foundation has furthermore provided key funding for the AR-Secretariat since 2018. AR-Safe Haven Helsinki is the lead partner in the Creative Europe-funded  “Artists at Risk - A European Network of Safe Havens” (AR-ENSH) and the Nordic Culture Point-funded “Immigré Artists and Artists at Risk” Nordic Network.

Visual artists have been a primary focus, although art practitioners in need of assistance from other disciplines, including  theatre and film, may be eligible for an AR-Residency. By hosting artists, AR goes beyond what can be provided by advocacy and mapping organisations, offering immediate help in times of crisis.

We are delighted to be joining the community at Hietsun Paviljonki in Helsinki, with the use of a studio and a workshop for AR-residents. The goal of the community centre, offering affordable spaces for communities, organizations and private individuals and promoting interaction between citizens, government, NGOs and small businesses, will offer an ideal environment for AR’s residents to thrive, create and work.

ARTISTS at RISK (AR) residents at Hietsun paviljonki

Kholod Hawash autumn 2020, winter 2020-21

Saddam Jumaily autumn 2020, winter 2020-21

Suvadeep Dasin, spring 2021