Supporting Immigrant Artists

Tuesday, October 23, 10:00am – 11:30am

Organized and moderated by Michael Royce, executive director, New York Foundation for the Arts.

Presented by Anne Huang, development director, World Arts West; Denise Pate, cultural funding coordinator, City of Oakland; Sara Reisman, executive and artistic director, The Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation; and Carmen Roman, founder and artistic director, Cunamecué.

Immigrant artists are often extremely vulnerable and marginalized in our society. Many produce works of high caliber and emigrate here seeking opportunities. They are often educated, experienced, and heralded in their “home” countries. Support for them includes respect for the artist and their art form (frequently, traditional art practices of their native lands). Further, programs specific for immigrant artists need to be created in partnership with the immigrant artists communities. Fears of deportation, incarceration, and voiceless representation earmark many of their lives. NYFA and its partners in five cities (NYC, Detroit, Newark, Oakland, and San Antonio) across the US are working to impact these communities in positive and significant ways. The session will highlight what work is being done, what the challenges are, and how we can collectively network, fund, and help the immigrant artist community. The session will call upon stories gathered from mentors, professional development experts, and local advocates to portray the landscape of these communities and suggest recommended steps for empowering immigrant artists with tools, resources, and access to own their rightful place in national conversations, policy making, legislation, and their creative processes in the cultural landscape.