Moving Artists

Since its foundation in 2017, Moving Artists (MA) has been dedicated to promoting transnational cooperation by offering temporary artistic residencies and comprehensive support to cultural practitioners operating in complex socio-political environments. We address the systemic challenges posed by forced migration, the climate crisis, resource depletion, and armed conflicts—situations that deeply impact artistic development and restrict the fundamental right to freedom of expression. Our activity is structured around the principles of training, consultancy, and visibility, rooted in the understanding that conflict zones do not exist in isolation but highlight a global interdependence between social poles.

To bridge these gaps, we provide artists from the Basque Country (CAPV) and restricted-access nations the opportunity to create, produce, and investigate through "round-trip" residency programs. Since 2017, we have facilitated annual residencies involving territories such as Iraq, Kurdistan, and Palestine. By collaborating with prestigious institutions including BilbaoArte, Matadero Madrid, Al Qattan, and Sulyon, we have successfully mobilized over 22 artists, with a steadfast focus on gender equity and the promotion of local Basque talent. This labor goes beyond simple mobility; it is an effort to weave strong, stable networks that allow artists to continue their creative projects despite adverse circumstances.

Moving Artists also functions as a key advisory body for organizations and EU member states. At the state level, we are founding members of Red TEJA, a network of cultural spaces including the Museo Reina Sofía, La Casa Encendida, and Casa de Velázquez, among others. Internationally, our expertise has led us to join the European agency On the Move and the Advisory Committee for the EU project "Status of At-Risk and Displaced Artists," where we elevate our findings and analysis directly to the European Parliament. This institutional weight is complemented by our role as an International Mobility Information Point, where we offer specialized guidance on fiscal laws, grants, and legal frameworks for artists moving across borders.

Our commitment to human rights is most visible through our urgent evacuation protocols. In 2021, in coordination with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) and the Van Abbe Museum, we led the evacuation of 10 Afghan artists. More recently, in 2024, we facilitated the safe arrival of two artists from Gaza through the PAUSE program and AECID. By producing detailed situational reports and fostering hybridization projects in regions like Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Sahrawi refugee camps, Moving Artists serves as a vital bridge between global professionals, ensuring that artistic practice remains a protected and thriving tool for social transformation.