Organizer Information
The Artists at Risk Connection (ARC), in partnership with PEN International, is a global network dedicated to protecting and supporting artists facing threats to their freedom of expression. ARC, a program of PEN America, connects threatened creators with safe havens, emergency aid, and professional opportunities, having assisted over 1,000 artists worldwide since 2019. This initiative draws from ARC's research on Cuban artists in exile, including the 2023 report Método Cuba: Testimonios de artistas independientes sobre el exilio forzado. The program emphasizes resilience, cultural preservation, and advocacy for human rights through art, fostering a supportive community for displaced creators.
Title & Description
Programa de Becas de Resiliencia para Artistas Cubanos Migrantes – ARC 2026 (Third Edition).
This six-month fellowship empowers ten Cuban migrant artists displaced by persecution or hardship to execute impactful artistic projects addressing themes of artistic freedom, human rights, cultural rights, and migration's challenges. Recipients develop works—such as visual essays on exile, performances exploring identity loss, or multimedia pieces on diasporic resilience—that serve as tools for advocacy and healing. The program provides financial independence through a $7,000 USD resilience grant, alongside virtual professional development, including personalized mentorship, peer cohorts for community building, and workshops on grant writing, digital archiving, and networking. Participants engage in reflective practices to navigate professional reintegration abroad, culminating in project completion and promotion via ARC and PEN's platforms. By prioritizing voices silenced by exile, the fellowship counters cultural erasure, blending Cuban traditions like rumba rhythms or revolutionary iconography with contemporary narratives of adaptation. Artists might craft installations mapping migration routes, poetic cycles on linguistic borders, or collaborative soundscapes of collective memory. This holistic support not only funds immediate creation but builds long-term networks, connecting fellows to global residencies, galleries, and collaborators. ARC envisions a thriving diaspora where art transforms trauma into solidarity, amplifying calls for equity and free expression on international stages. (Word count for this section: 248)
Categories
Open to all artistic disciplines, including Visual Arts (painting, sculpture, installation), Performing Arts (dance, theater, performance), Literature and Writing (poetry, fiction, essays), Music and Sound Art, Film and Video, Digital and Multimedia Arts, and interdisciplinary practices.
Eligibility
Exclusively for Cuban artists who have migrated from Cuba within the last 10 years due to political persecution, economic hardship, or other displacement factors. Applicants must be over 18 years old, demonstrate a professional artistic practice (at least 3 years of experience), and currently reside outside Cuba (international applicants from the diaspora are prioritized). No formal education required, but a commitment to Cuban cultural themes is essential. Collaborative applications from artist groups (up to 4 members) are accepted if all qualify.
Program Benefits & Awards
Recipients receive a $7,000 USD resilience grant disbursed in installments for artistic production, materials, and living expenses. Additional benefits include six months of one-on-one virtual mentorship with renowned Cuban diaspora artists, enrollment in professional development workshops, and peer group sessions for sharing experiences. ARC and PEN promote fellows' works through exhibitions, publications, and networks, connecting them to U.S.- and Latin America-based opportunities. Emotional and practical support, like resource libraries on migration arts, empowers sustainable career rebuilding.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) in Spanish or English, maximum 2 pages, including artistic biography and migration context.
- Portfolio of 8-12 works (digital images, audio/video clips up to 3 minutes each, with descriptions and dates; total 200MB max).
- Project proposal (600-900 words) detailing the proposed work, its connection to migration/resilience themes, and budget outline (must be completable within six months using the grant).
- Personal statement (400-600 words) on how the fellowship will support artistic and personal recovery.
- Two recommendation letters from art professionals or community leaders.
- Proof of migration status (e.g., visa documents, residency permit; redacted for privacy) and ability to receive USD funds.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 24 December 2025
- Notification Date: Early January 2026
- Fellowship Period: January 1 - June 30, 2026 (six months)
- Project Completion and Showcase: By June 2026
Location
Online
Additional Details
Selection is made by a jury of Cuban artists, curators, and migration experts, emphasizing artistic merit, thematic relevance, feasibility within the timeframe, and potential impact. The program promotes diversity, reserving spots for women, LGBTQ+, and Afro-Cuban artists. Activities are primarily in Spanish with English options. Applicants must ensure projects align with ethical standards and grant usage. ARC provides confidentiality for sensitive details and complies with U.S. sanction guidelines for cultural exchanges. For updates, monitor the official site.
