Cities of Refuge 1
Being a City of Refuge A City of Refuge does more
than inviting and offering a safe space for writers and artists at risk.. It is a member of an international network of more than 70 cities, local and regional authorities that promote freedom of expression. It is as much a symbolic as a concrete act. When the City of Refuge give sanctuary to an artist at risk, it also creates a space for and sheds light on others in similar situations, both inside and outside the City, such as other refugees who are artists, or Swedish journalists that are subjected to similar threats. The artists in residence represent a large group who stand up for freedom of expression and democratic values. In other words, has it impacts more people than just the artist in residence. The process of becoming a City of Refuge The initiative to become a City of Refuge within ICORN may come from a public administrator in a City, a politician or a member of the public. From there, an assessment is usually carried out to see how a City of Refuge should be designed. The following is what should be assessed: ● Who should be responsible for the City of Refuge—the municipality or the region? ● Does the future City of Refuge have the finances to cover scholarships, artist accommodation, travels, visas and the services of a coordinator? ● Is there a local and/or regional network of cultural actors? Are there job opportunities and contacts for health and safety issues? If the response is positive and all questions are answered in the assessment, the municipal council or cultural committee makes a decision to run the Cities of Refuge programme and apply for ICORN membership. Design of the Cities of Refuge programme As long as the City of Refuge follows the agreement with ICORN, it us up to each City to design its Cities of Refuge programme according to its own situation. The agreement with ICORN states that the city will host an artist in residence for a period of two years. The City of Refuge is expected to receive artists in residence on an ongoing basis. 13/49