IIE Artist Protection Fund
The Artist Protection Fund offers one-year fellowships for threatened artists to safely continue their creative work at supportive host institutions worldwide.
Funder: Institute of International Education
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted year-round) | Fall 2026 (next selection committee meeting)
Funding Amounts: Fellowship for one year; award amount varies, 100% of funding goes directly to the artist; host institutions provide additional support (monetary or in-kind).
Summary: Provides one-year fellowships to artists facing immediate, severe threats, enabling them to continue their creative work in safe host institutions worldwide.
Key Information: Open to artists in any discipline, age 21+, facing or recently fled from targeted threats; not for students or those displaced/exiled over two years.
Description
The Artist Protection Fund (APF), an initiative of the Institute of International Education (IIE) and sponsored by the Mellon and Ford Foundations, offers one-year fellowship grants to artists facing immediate, severe, and targeted threats to their lives or careers. The program places selected artists at host institutions in safe countries, enabling them to continue their creative practice and plan for their futures. Host institutions—such as universities, arts residencies, or cultural centers—provide direct and in-kind support to fellows. The APF is committed to supporting artists from any country or discipline and prioritizes those who have recently fled or are facing acute danger.
