Fundraising Project: WE ARE ARTISTS FOR UKRAINE

Artist-Run Spaces in solidarity with Ukrainian Artists

WE ARE ARTISTS FOR UKRAINE stands in solidarity with the artists, artist-run spaces, and all the people of Ukraine who are bravely resisting an immoral and illegal Russian invasion, those who have lost loved ones, or have been forced to flee their homes and country. Living in a country where we have a right to choose our leaders, and where we enjoy freedom of expression without fear, we also applaud those Russians who are speaking out and demonstrating against their government.

Maintaining spaces for artists to work and artist communities to thrive is a difficult task at the best of times. Artists’ incomes tend to be both low, intermittent, and without the security of other professions, while artists, writers, curators, critics and scholars are often targets of politically motivated threats and persecution all over the world.

In response to the humanitarian crisis affecting Ukraine, members of the wider artist-run community in Ireland wish to send a collective message of solidarity and raise funds for Ukrainian artists who are defending their country, have had to flee and rebuild their lives, and who we hope one day, will rebuild their spaces and contribute again to the art and culture of their country.

The organisers are hugely grateful to artist Paul Hallahan for generously allowing us to reproduce his artwork for this cause. Funds raised will be distributed directly to artists and artist-run spaces in Ukraine, and to ARTISTS at RISK (AR) a non-profit organisation at the intersection of human rights and the arts.  Since 2013 AR has been collaborating with arts non-profits and government funders to assist artists who are at risk politically and fleeing oppression and war in 26 locations in 19 countries globally.