International Coalition for Arts, Human Rights & Social Justice

 

The International Coalition for Arts, Human Rights & Social Justice was a network of aligned people and organisations who represent social and cultural movements, human rights organisations, artist collectives and associations, artist residencies, host cities and communities of conscience.

This was their website for a number of years.

Content is from the site's 2010 -2012 archived pages providing just a glimpse of what this site offered its visitors.

We seek to create an international  pluralistic, intersectoral network to exchange ideas and enhance capacity, and to achieve both joint and individual concrete actions within a common vision and strategy and according to common principles.  In keeping with these principles, we will raise awareness of the power of the Arts and Human Rights and Social Justice collaboration/cooperation; strengthen and develop existing projects committed to the Arts, Human Rights and Social Justice; and actively lobby for defined objectives and opportunities jointly or individually identified by coalition members.

 

 

As a data developer, I am incredibly proud to have contributed to the International Coalition for Arts, Human Rights & Social Justice and its platform, ArtsRightsJustice.net. This site embodies the transformative power of collaboration between arts, human rights, and social justice, and its values align perfectly with my own. When I joined, the site relied on Microsoft Access for data management—a system that was no longer supported and caused compatibility issues with modern tools. Bringing this to management’s attention, I was repeatedly met with the question, “What is replacing Microsoft Access?” It became clear that the real need was not just a replacement but a custom solution tailored to the organization’s unique requirements. Despite limited funding for a complete overhaul, I devised a workaround that has sustained operations so far. While this temporary fix has been effective, I hope the organization will eventually move away from deprecated tools for a more sustainable future. Regardless, being part of a project that champions diversity, free expression, and social justice is a privilege. This site is a testament to the direction humanity should take, and I am proud to have played a role in its development. [Matilda Watts]

 

Community Guidelines

To ensure that we can all use this site comfortably, we ask that all members follow these community guidelines:

  • Understand that this site is home to people of all ages from all over the world, with different cultures, values, language needs, and abilities. We all share a commitment to free expression and progressive social change, but we may not see eye-to-eye on many other topics. Let's focus on common ground and build solidarity around issues we can all agree on. Our diversity is our strength.
  • Be aware that foundations and other funders, government agencies, employers, and many others have access to the public parts of the site. This can help you decide how formally or informally you want to communicate and present yourself on the site.
  • When you post sensitive information, especially about others, be aware that the web is searchable and that parts of it are public and parts of it are private. Make sure that you take others' privacy concerns (as well as your own) into account when deciding what to post and where.
  • Be assertive about what you're here for and what you need, and speak up respectfully when you run into problems. For instance, when you post your artwork and photographs, avoid copyright conflicts by noting whether it's okay for others to use or re-post them elsewhere. When you make a group, explain in your group description what the group is for, and moderate it occasionally to make sure that it's being used in the way you intended. If someone does something you wish they hadn't, assume it was an honest mistake or misunderstanding before jumping to conclusions, and communicate with them to clarify your needs.

 

Events

October 10
Sunday
Deadline for EU Culture Programme consultancy feedback
October 10, 2010 at 6pm to December 15, 2010 at 5pm – http://ec.europa.eu/culture/news/news2923_en.htm

October 11
Monday
Epic-demic

October 11, 2010 to December 31, 2010 – Ozoono

October 17
Sunday
VISUAL ARTS FESTIVAL DAMASCUS

October 17, 2010 at 7pm to December 2, 2010 at 7pm – Damascus, Syria

October 28
Thursday
ARTErra Artistic Residence Portugal

October 28, 2010 to October 31, 2013 – Tondela

November 6
Saturday
KATRINA a solo art exhibition

November 6, 2010 at 6pm to December 6, 2010 at 7pm – LIC Art Center

 

 

 

Forum

Some good news from Egypt

Started by Mary Ann DeVlieg in Opportunities Jun 17.

My new website

Started by Mirko Sevic in Opportunities May 20.

Crow-funding for Art Projects

Started by Luminita Ratiu in Opportunities May 4.

Writers call on China to respect freedom of expression

Started by Mary Ann DeVlieg in News & Current Events May 3.

The Photos The Belarusian KGB Doesn't Want You To See

Started by Mary Ann DeVlieg in News & Current Events Apr 7.

 

 

Open Call for ARTErra Artistic Residence in Portugal

  • Added by ARTErra-residências rurais artís

Time: February 21, 2011 at 6pm to December 31, 2014 at 7pm
Location: Tondela
Street: Rua Nossa Senhora do Crasto - Lobão da Beira
City/Town: Tondela - PORTUGAL
Event Type: open, call, for, artists
Organized By: ARTErra-residências rurais artís
Latest Activity: Feb 7, 2012

Open Call for ARTErra Artistic Residence in Portugal

ARTErra is structure is placed in Lobão da Beira, a village in PORTUGAL, near Tondela, district of Viseu is now open to receive projects from artist.

The application must contain the following elements:


- Curriculum Vitae;
- Portfolio, videos, photos , musics...;
- Description of the project to be undertaken at ARTERRA, including the project's objectives, needs and expectations of residence ,work methodologies,and all the details necessary to understand the proposal;
- Ideal dates and time for the residence;
- Complementary information (needs for meals, number of persons involved, technical requirements, work characteristics and other additional information relevant to the work process).

ARTErra is a private structure of incentive for artistic creation in a quiet and green small village, which aims to facilitate en­counters between different artists and aesthetic disciplines. ARTERRA is strongly committed to offering the residents a cheerful and productive stay. Because of that, part­nerships have been established with the Municipality of Tondela and Lobão da Beira for reception and possible presentations of performative works, exhibitions, workshops, lectures, etc.

We offer two distinct spaces: the house where the residents can do the meals, rest, meet each other. In the other space, the "creation yard", with different work places, ateliers, studio, blackbox, documentation center and peaceful gardens.

 

Coalition Partners

Trans Europe Halles
Arterial Network
Cultural Radius
Art Moves Africa / Mobility Hub Africa
Arts & Democracy Project
International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM)
Alternate Roots
Red Latinoamericana de Arte y Transformación Social
Breuninger Stiftung
Wasan Island
The Upgrade
Res Artis
Triangle Arts Trust
Arts Network Asia
Article 19
New Tactics in Human Rights, a project of The Center for Victims of Torture
International Cities of Refuge Network
First Peoples Fund
freeDimensional
Freedom of Musical Expression (FREEMUSE)
Creative Resistance Fund
African Arts Institute
Young Arab Theatre Fund
International Coalition of Sites of Conscience
artdialog

 

 

How to use this site

Why post on this site?

If you post on our site, you will:

  • be seen by at least 2000 visitors per month, about half of them new visitors;
  • be able to interact directly with the site's members - over 700 people and over 100 groupsinterested in sharing resources and information about art, community, and social justice;
  • potentially have your content linked to by fD in our monthly newsletter, which reaches over 6000 subscribers, among them quite a few funders in arts and culture.

What this site is for

freeDimensional is an international network connecting activists and art spaces, with partners all over the world. We built this online community to:

  • mirror our connections in the brick-and-mortar world and provide a clear model of how our decentralized network functions
  • provide public and private online spaces for direct, peer-to-peer communication, collaboration, and resource-sharing
  • provide a public web presence to groups and individuals who may not yet have their own websites
  • provide a space for activists and art spaces to learn together how to use technology sustainably, and to improve the ways we communicate about our projects and programs
  • build solidarity among activists, art spaces, and others who care about free expression and the power of culture to change society

What you can do here

This site can be used to meet other people and organizations; cultivate new relationships or strengthen existing ones; get the word about about programs, projects and advocacy campaigns; find volunteers, media partners and exhibition spaces; locate artist residencies; share knowledge and strategize about fundraising; sell art and collect donations - and many other things we haven't even thought of yet. We have employed the voluntary services of developers to create a large database of programs, individuals, services, media partners, etc., and have recently used the services of an architect for DevOps to create and test the software available for use by our members to access the database and to connect needs with solutions. This site was built to meet the needs of the people and groups in the network, and it will continue to grow and evolve as we all figure out new ways to use it.

Here are just a few things you can do right here, right now, on this site:

  • Customize your profile page - click the edit buttons and the "settings" and "my photo" links to see what you can do. You can add photos, slideshows, videos, and other things you want to share to your profile's text box. To ensure that your presence on the site meets your needs, tell people why you're on the site, and how you'd like to engage with the community.
  • Create a group to promote your organization, project, or advocacy campaign | Find groups to join
  • Post a question or request for help | Share your knowledge and give advice
  • Post an event to our international calendar | Find and RSVP for events
  • Post an action alert | Take action on others' action alerts
  • Post an opportunity (artist residency opening, call for entries, etc.) | Find out about other opportunities
  • Get to know other network members
  • Read news and updates from other members | Post your own updates
  • Share a video | Share a photo

We are the network

This site is packed with activists and art spaces that need volunteers, outreach assistance, and other help - and who often have a lot to offer, too! Explore the site and engage with others here - we can all help each other do our work more effectively.

Please feel free to share constructive feedback, tips and ideas with other members of the site. If you see a connection that can be made, a group page that needs some work, a blog post that can be enhanced by commenting and providing supplementary links, please go ahead and do it! If you want to get even more involved in the development of the network,

Be sure to tell us about your success stories - and let us know if you run into questions or technical problems you need help with. Our staff and volunteers are here for you.

 

More Background On ArtsRightsJustice.net

 

ArtsRightsJustice.net served for years as the digital home of the International Coalition for Arts, Human Rights & Social Justice—a global alliance of arts organizations, cultural workers, human rights advocates, and socially engaged practitioners working collectively to advance freedom of expression, cultural rights, and artistic protection. Although the website is no longer active, it remains preserved through web archives and secondary references, revealing its role as a crucial hub for dialogue, resource-sharing, advocacy, and global collaboration.

At its peak, the platform connected artists and activists from more than 70 countries, drawing participation from cultural institutions, grassroots organizations, art residencies, free-expression advocacy groups, and networks committed to social transformation. The site’s messaging emphasized pluralism, solidarity, cross-sector cooperation, and the belief that art is not only cultural expression but also an essential force for justice, healing, and democratic resilience.

This comprehensive overview examines the website’s history, goals, community, partnerships, cultural relevance, activities, and lasting impact, while reconstructing the broader environment in which ArtsRightsJustice.net operated.

History and Background

Origins in the global human rights and arts movement

The origins of ArtsRightsJustice.net tie back to the early 2000s, a period marked by rapid globalization, increased international mobility, and significant geopolitical tension. Artists worldwide were facing growing censorship, political persecution, travel restrictions, and targeted harassment by authoritarian regimes. Simultaneously, cross-border networks were emerging to defend artistic freedom and promote cultural understanding.

The International Coalition for Arts, Human Rights & Social Justice appeared as a response to these challenges. Although never a traditional NGO with a fixed headquarters, the coalition functioned as a decentralized constellation of groups already active in human rights and artistic advocacy. Major global partners included organizations from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and North America.

Launch of ArtsRightsJustice.net

The website was launched around the late 2000s as a dedicated platform for:

  • facilitating communication among coalition members,

  • hosting events and opportunities,

  • sharing advocacy campaigns,

  • and documenting global initiatives around arts and human rights.

By 2010–2012 the site had evolved into a collaborative online community environment that supported:

  • discussion forums

  • events calendars

  • open calls

  • resource databases

  • advocacy alerts

  • artist residency opportunities

  • cross-sector networking tools

This positioned the platform as an early digital social-networking environment for arts and justice workers—far ahead of the curve of modern nonprofit digital communications.

Ownership and Governance

Although ArtsRightsJustice.net represented a broad coalition, it did not operate as a single incorporated entity in the traditional sense. Its governance was decentralized and driven by collaboration among international organizations. Several well-known networks participated in shaping and supporting the platform, including:

  • freeDimensional

  • Trans Europe Halles

  • Res Artis

  • Art Moves Africa

  • Article 19

  • International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM)

  • International Cities of Refuge Network

  • Triangle Arts Trust

  • First Peoples Fund

  • Arts Network Asia

Many of these organizations were independently funded by cultural institutions, foundations, municipal governments, and advocacy agencies, which indirectly bolstered the platform’s development and visibility.

The website’s infrastructure was supported by volunteer developers, database coordinators, and digital architects, which made the initiative both innovative and financially efficient but occasionally vulnerable to technical challenges and sustainability limitations.

Mission and Goals

Core Vision

The fundamental mission of ArtsRightsJustice.net was to advance the idea that art and human rights are inherently interconnected. The platform promoted the belief that artistic expression is not only culturally valuable but politically and socially essential.

Primary Objectives

The site articulated several major goals:

  1. Raise global awareness about the role of the arts in defending human rights.

  2. Support artists at risk, especially those facing censorship, persecution, or displacement.

  3. Strengthen international collaboration among organizations working at the intersection of culture and justice.

  4. Connect activists, cultural institutions, and communities through shared resources and collective advocacy.

  5. Facilitate peer-to-peer learning across borders, disciplines, and cultural perspectives.

  6. Provide visibility to organizations and individuals who lacked digital infrastructure or global reach.

  7. Encourage sustainable use of technology within justice-oriented arts networks.

Long-term Impact Goals

In addition to immediate advocacy, the coalition sought to cultivate long-term social transformation, including:

  • promoting cultural rights as a human right,

  • supporting freedom of expression campaigns,

  • empowering marginalized artistic voices,

  • building community resilience through storytelling,

  • and strengthening global solidarity during crises.

Popularity, Audience, and User Community

Traffic and membership

During its active years, ArtsRightsJustice.net attracted approximately:

  • 2,000 visitors per month

  • 700–1,000 active members

  • 100+ active groups

  • frequent participation from arts funders and cultural agencies

This was substantial for a niche advocacy network, especially considering that many users were located in regions with limited internet access or restrictive digital environments.

Who used the site

The site appealed to multiple overlapping audiences:

  • visual artists

  • writers and journalists

  • performers and musicians

  • curators and cultural organizers

  • human rights advocates

  • funders and foundations

  • art residency managers

  • community organizers

  • social justice educators

  • students and researchers

The platform's international nature created a dynamic and diverse user environment, often multilingual, and deeply rooted in cross-cultural exchange.

Key Features and Platform Functionality

1. Community Forums

The discussion forums allowed members to post:

  • opportunities for residencies or grants,

  • news about political crises affecting artists,

  • requests for collaboration,

  • updates on cultural policy changes,

  • or alerts about human rights abuses.

Topics ranged from “crowdfunding methods” to “freedom of expression violations in China” to “international solidarity efforts in Egypt.”

2. Global Events Calendar

The site maintained an international calendar featuring:

  • art festivals

  • exhibitions

  • political actions

  • advocacy campaigns

  • conferences

  • open calls

  • residency deadlines

This helped users track relevant cultural and political events across continents.

3. Resource and Networking Database

One of its most unique contributions was its database linking:

  • artist residencies

  • human rights organizations

  • funding sources

  • media partners

  • advocacy networks

  • cross-disciplinary collaborators

This facilitated tangible outcomes, such as finding safe-haven residencies for artists under threat or connecting activists with legal support.

4. Member Profiles and Customizable Pages

Users could create personal or organizational profiles, upload media, write updates, form groups, and join discussions. This feature offered visibility to grassroots initiatives that otherwise lacked digital presence.

5. Advocacy Tools and Alerts

Members could post urgent action alerts, such as:

  • calls to sign petitions,

  • responses to artist arrests,

  • fundraising for activist legal defense,

  • or international solidarity campaigns.

These tools made the site a real-time connector during political emergencies.

Notable Programs and Partnerships

Collaboration with freeDimensional

freeDimensional played a central role in the coalition's direction. Known for placing artists and activists in safe haven residencies, the organization used the platform to:

  • connect vulnerable artists with host institutions,

  • coordinate emergency housing,

  • and disseminate advocacy alerts.

International Residencies Listings

The site regularly posted open calls from residencies such as:

  • ARTErra (Portugal)

  • Triangle Network spaces

  • Wasan Island programs

  • ICARE residencies

  • Young Arab Theatre Fund programs

This positioned the website as a global gateway for mobility opportunities in the arts.

Advocacy Campaigns

Major advocacy themes on the site included:

  • censorship in China

  • freedom of expression in the Middle East

  • safety of artists in conflict regions

  • migrant artist rights

  • post-disaster cultural recovery

  • gender equity in artistic representation

The breadth of issues reflected the coalition’s global scope and holistic approach.

Geographical Scope and Location

A Decentralized Global Network

ArtsRightsJustice.net did not represent a single physical location. Instead, it functioned through:

  • partner hubs throughout Europe,

  • cultural centers in Africa and Latin America,

  • art spaces in the Middle East and Asia,

  • and networks in North America.

Major partner cities included:

  • Brussels

  • Paris

  • London

  • Berlin

  • Cairo

  • Johannesburg

  • New York

  • Beirut

  • Mexico City

This geographic diversity allowed the coalition to respond to regional crises with localized understanding.

Cultural and Social Significance

1. Supporting freedom of expression

The platform was part of a larger movement affirming that artistic expression is a fundamental human right. By highlighting cases of censorship, it helped bring awareness to international human rights violations.

2. Bridging arts and activism

ArtsRightsJustice.net demonstrated how artistic practices can serve as:

  • documentation of injustice,

  • tools of resistance,

  • methods of community healing,

  • cultural memory preservation.

It framed artists not just as creators, but as social witnesses and advocates.

3. Strengthening global solidarity

The site created a digital commons for people working in isolation—especially activists in regions with limited freedom or safety. Its network provided emotional, logistical, and professional support.

4. Enhancing mobility and cultural exchange

By connecting artists to residencies and international partners, the platform helped promote cross-border collaboration and protected cultural diversity.

Press, Media Coverage, and Public Engagement

While ArtsRightsJustice.net itself did not appear frequently in mainstream media, many of its partner organizations were widely referenced in:

  • human rights reports,

  • cultural policy briefs,

  • academic papers,

  • conference presentations,

  • arts journals,

  • and international advocacy initiatives.

The site’s events were often echoed by:

  • IETM conference reports,

  • Arterial Network publications,

  • Res Artis newsletters,

  • Trans Europe Halles communication channels,

  • Articles by Article 19 and Freemuse.

This amplification increased the coalition’s visibility even without a large centralized PR structure.

Legacy and Lasting Influence

Despite eventual inactivity, the website’s legacy endures in several ways:

  1. It pioneered digital community-building among arts and justice networks before today’s widespread online collaboration tools.

  2. It supported real-world advocacy, including emergency artist relocations, resource networking, and solidarity campaigns.

  3. Its model influenced later platforms focused on artistic mobility and cultural rights.

  4. Its archived content remains historically valuable, documenting early 21st-century artistic activism.

  5. Its international partnerships continue independently, carrying forward the mission of cultural rights advocacy.

 

ArtsRightsJustice.net played a pivotal role in the global ecosystem of arts, human rights, and social justice. More than a website, it was a community platform, a resource hub, and a catalyst for cross-sector collaboration. Its importance lies not only in the content it hosted but in the connections it created—linking artists, activists, institutions, residencies, funders, and communities across continents.

Even though the site is no longer active, its impact continues in the organizations and individuals who benefited from its resources, shared its values, and carried its mission forward. ArtsRightsJustice.net remains an important historical reference point in the evolution of digital advocacy for cultural rights and artistic freedom.

 

ArtsRightsJustice.net