​​​Immigrant Artist Resources

Around 5.4% of people living in Wisconsin were born in a foreign country, and about 3% of Wisconsinites were born to at least one immigrant parent. Immigrants make up around 6.9% of Wisconsin's labor force, and they support Wisconsin's economy in many ways, accounting for 7.9% of entrepreneurs, 10.3% of STEM workers, and 11.5% of the agricultural workforce in the state (New Americans in Wisconsin 2023​).

More often than not, "immigrant, migrant, and undocumented creatives face systemic barriers accessing the resources and opportunities they need to tell stories through art due to their immigration status" (Define American​). We've compiled a list of resources to aid creatives looking to immigrate to Wisconsin​, or immigrant artists living in Wisconsin. We have even more resources for individual artists on our home page​, under "Resources"!

​​American Immigration Council​
The American Immigration Council strives to strengthen the United States by shaping immigration policies and practices through innovative programs, cutting-edge research, and strategic legal and advocacy efforts grounded in evidence, compassion, justice and fairness.

Artists at Risk (AR)

Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) defends and advances the right to artistic freedom, providing practical resources and support to artists and cultural workers, so they can live and work safely, free from fear.

Artists from Abroad​

Center for Art Law​

Create Wisconsin: Legal Issues Resources​

Create Wisconsin provides legal information, partnerships, and connections for Wisconsin artists, performers, nonprofit and for-profit businesses, and other creative entrepreneurs. Create Wisconsin is often listed in legal directories as the state's Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts organization (VLA). Although Wisconsin does not have a separate and independent statewide VLA, Create Wisconsin strives to assist people, organizations, businesses, and communities in need.

Define American empowers diverse and nuanced storytelling about immigrant experiences across mediums and industries through research, partnerships, and storyteller engagement.

Creativity is Boundless: An Inclusive Guide​ outlines recommendations and practical next steps for making artist support opportunities more inclusive and accessible to all.

​HOME at Lynden Sculpture Garden​

HOME is the theme of Lynden Sculpture Garden​'s work with refugee community leaders, community members, Call & Response artists, and allies. With HOME, they are building a space of leading, of coming together, and of celebrating refugees. 

Immigration Equality​

Immigration Equality is America’s leading LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrant rights organization.

International Arrivals​

International Arrivals creates opportunities for artists from countries in conflict or whose identity puts them at risk.

​A hub where immigrant artists can access resources, exchange ideas, collaborate, and amplify their voices in the American cultural landscape. *Note* many of these resources are specific to New York.

National Immigration Project​​

For more than 50 years, the National Immigration Project has litigated, advocated, educated, and built bridges across movements to ensure that those most impacted by the immigration and criminal systems are uplifted and supported.

Tamizdat ​

The Vilcek Foundation​

The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation of the arts and sciences. Through their prizes, they reward immigrant artists and scientists at every stage of their careers. Their grants support the programs and initiatives of other organizations that complement their mission. Whether displayed in an exhibition in our gallery space, sent on tour in a traveling exhibit, or loaned to another organization, their art collection connects the foundation with cultural institutions around the world, facilitating academic and artistic dialogue.