PEN America Calls on Cooper Union to Reopen an Exhibit on the Legacy of Vkhutemas, a Design School Shuttered by Joseph Stalin
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager of free expression and education, released the following comments: “Cooper Union’s decision to halt the opening of Vkhutemas: Laboratory of the Avant-Garde, 1920–1930 raises serious questions… More
Closing of Art Exhibit about Racism at Arkansas Tech U Deprives Campus of Opportunity to Engage with it
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager in the Free Expression and Education program, made the following comments: “That art dealing with racism in America has impacted viewers in different ways is understandable.… More
New Report: Troubling Rise in Restrictions on Artistic Freedom and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean
“In the last few years, political and social tensions have risen dramatically in Latin America and the Caribbean amid the confluence of grave crises and dramatic changes. Authoritarian governments… More
Communicating During Contentious Times: Dos and Don’ts to Rise Above the Noise
A new guide for community leaders to use in their pursuit of credible and peace-forward messaging strategies. More
Connecting the Dots: Artist Protection & Artistic Freedom in Asia
ARC, in partnership with our regional partners, is now releasing three publications that highlight the current state of artistic freedom in Africa, Asia and Latin America. More
Sentencing of Chair of The Freedom Theatre in Jenin, Palestine is a Serious Human Rights Violation
“The arrest and imprisonment without trial of Bilal Al-Saadi represents a serious violation of his human rights, while the growing crackdown on Palestian civil society raises grave concerns about… More
“Cruel and Inhumane” Prison Sentences Imposed Without “Legal Merit” on Cuban Artist-Activists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo Pérez
Julie Trebault, the Director of the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) at PEN America. said "This is a blow to artistic freedom in Cuba, and to the artists and… More
Vow to Execute Cultural Figures and Activists Shows Myanmar Junta’s Disdain for Human Rights and Rule of Law
“These excessive sentences and rapid execution schedule, following a farcical closed-door trial by a military tribunal, fly in the face of international legal norms and should be reversed immediately,”… More
PEN America and PEN International: Grave Concern Over the Lack of Due Process Protections in Arbitrary Trials of Cuban Artist Set for May 30-31
"The arbitrary trials against two of Cuba’s most talented and outspoken artists and activists indicate nothing more than the targeted and forceful attempt by the Cuban government to silence… More
Joint Statement Condemning Charges in Cuba Against Maykel “El Osorbo” Castillo Perez and Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara
JOINT STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST MAYKEL “El OSORBO” CASTILLO PÉREZ AND LUIS MANUEL OTERO ALCÁNTARA IN CUBA [caption id="attachment_219919" align="alignright" width="300"] Maykel “El Osorbo” Castillo Perez, R,… More