For artists and cultural actors in exile and diaspora, art is not only a form of personal expression. It can become a way to preserve identity, engage with new communities, document collective and individual experiences, and contribute to social and political change.
The Artivism in Exile Toolkit responds to the realities faced by artists and cultural actors who have left their countries because of political persecution, armed conflict, or restrictions on personal freedoms. It connects artistic practice with social and political struggle and offers tools that can help transform art into a means of influence, advocacy, and change.
What the Toolkit offers
The Toolkit begins with a theoretical framework for understanding artivism and examines the political and social dynamics that shape the work of artists in exile and migration. It also provides a critical analysis of the Arab cultural reality in exile, including the challenges and opportunities artists may face in new environments.
It then moves into practical methodologies and tools that support artists in developing their projects. The sections guide readers through examining community needs and surrounding narratives, identifying allies, stakeholders and available resources, designing creative interventions, developing participatory implementation plans, and evaluating the experience to inform future interventions.
The Toolkit also includes practical examples and strategies for using art as a tool for empowerment, resistance, advocacy, and social change. It can be used to support workshops and help artists develop activist art projects while learning from the experiences of local and Arab artists in diaspora.
A dedicated protection and support section connects readers with platforms, organisations, and initiatives providing legal, financial, technical, educational, psychological, and networking support. It also includes resources related to digital safety, funding, artistic residencies, international mobility, and the documentation of artivism practices.
Who it is for
The Toolkit is designed as an open and adaptable resource for artists across different disciplines, cultural actors and collectives, cultural rights advocates, researchers, teachers, human rights defenders, civil society organisations, and others working at the intersection of art, resistance, and social change.
It is intended for those seeking to understand their position within exile and migration, strengthen their artistic and cultural practice, build support networks, and design creative interventions with a meaningful social or political impact.
