International Human Rights Art Movement

International Human Rights Art Movement Artists driving change for a better society. IHRAM amplifies those that give voice to the voiceless

The International Human Rights Art Movement was founded by artist/activist Tom Block on the belief that art can open hearts and minds, and heal the wounds that are evident in our society. Through beauty, sincerity, and passion, we dissolve the boundaries between us. As artists, we engage in open-hearted creativity and discourse with politicians, social leaders, and others. The International Human

Rights Art Movement, founded five years ago at Dixon Place in NYC’s Lower East Side, has exploded in growth, impact and creativity. In this short time, we have worked with more than 2000 creators from more than 100 countries, giving voice to performers, writers, videographers, artists and others as they struggle for human rights in their home communities. All have been united at the heart and soul of justice through our signature values of celebrating diversity; engagement with all members of society; sincerity and vulnerability of presentation, and beauty as a fundamental creative value. We began as a single-week, annual festival and now publish a literary magazine, books, have international and youth fellows, created an African Secretariat with three offices, and run other programming throughout the year. Given our growth in programming, reach, and social and political impact, the time has come to honor our creators by acknowledging that they are not only participating in an artistic program, they are part of an art-activist movement. Other past iterations include the Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (Silver Spring, MD, 2010) and the Iraq History Art Project (DePaul University, October 2010), also produced by Tom Block. Television Producer Norman Lear has been a major supporter of the project, through providing grants, advice and artistic connections. Tom is a New York-based artist and writer, best known for the development of his activist art model “Prophetic Activist Art.” He is joined on the production committee by Associate Producer Julia Levine, a theatre artist, writer and activist living in New York City.

Why support IHRAM?Because art has the power to do more than inspire—it can protect, connect, educate, and create change....
06/22/2026

Why support IHRAM?

Because art has the power to do more than inspire—it can protect, connect, educate, and create change.

For years, IHRAM has worked alongside artists, writers, poets, musicians, filmmakers, and activists from around the world, creating opportunities that amplify voices and advance human rights through creativity.

From supporting artists at risk and providing publishing opportunities through IHRAM Press, to organizing fellowships, festivals, exhibitions, and global collaborations, every initiative is rooted in the belief that art can help build a more just and compassionate world.

Today, more than 2,000 artists from 115+ countries have shared their work through the IHRAM community, proving that creativity can transcend borders and bring people together.

Every donation, partnership, submission, volunteer hour, and share helps make that impact possible.

💙 Support artists.
💙 Support human rights.
💙 Support creativity as a force for change.

How have art and storytelling impacted your life? Let us know in the comments.

Wangarĩ Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist, human rights advocate, and the founder of the Green Belt Movement. In 200...
06/21/2026

Wangarĩ Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist, human rights advocate, and the founder of the Green Belt Movement. In 2004, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting sustainable development, democracy, peace, and human rights.

Throughout her life, Maathai understood that the fight for human rights is connected to the fight for justice, equality, and the protection of our communities and environment. Her activism empowered thousands of women, challenged systems of oppression, and inspired people around the world to take action.

This quote reminds us that human rights are not passive privileges. They are hard-won achievements that must be defended, protected, and strengthened through collective action. Every generation has a responsibility to stand up against injustice and ensure that dignity, freedom, and equality are upheld for all.

What actions can we take today to protect the rights of others?



Human Rights Albania Human Rights Campaign Human Right Activist & Environmental Conservation FIDH - International Federation for Human Rights Human Rights Watch Ethiopian Human Rights Commission Nobel Prize

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the freedom of mo...
06/19/2026

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans.

While the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued in 1863, freedom did not reach everyone at the same time. Juneteenth reminds us that the pursuit of freedom, equality, and human rights is an ongoing journey.

Today, we honor the resilience, creativity, and contributions of Black communities throughout history and around the world.
We are grateful to the artists who have shared their voices with us through art, helping preserve culture, honor history, celebrate identity, and keep important stories alive for future generations.

Happy Juneteenth!



National Juneteenth Museum

Pride is more than a celebration, it's a commitment to visibility, equality, and community.This month, and throughout th...
06/17/2026

Pride is more than a celebration, it's a commitment to visibility, equality, and community.

This month, and throughout the year, we invite you to support LGBTQ+ artists by engaging with their work, attending their events, purchasing directly from creators, and amplifying their voices.

Art has the power to challenge prejudice, build understanding, and create lasting social change.

Which LGBTQ+ artist inspires you? Tag them in the comments and help us celebrate their work. 🌈

Congratulations to the winners of the African Human Rights Sustainability Poetry Competition, May 2026! 🎉We are deeply g...
06/16/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the African Human Rights Sustainability Poetry Competition, May 2026! 🎉

We are deeply grateful to every poet who participated and shared their creativity, perspective, and commitment to human rights and sustainability. This edition received 161 submissions from 19 African countries, showcasing the incredible power of poetry to inspire reflection, dialogue, and change.

To our winners, thank you for your outstanding contributions. To all participants, thank you for lending your voice to this important conversation. Your work matters, and together you have created a collection that celebrates resilience, justice, and hope.

We invite everyone to visit our pages to read the winning poems and discover the remarkable work of all featured poets. By engaging with and sharing their work, you help support emerging artists and amplify voices from across Africa.

https://humanrightsartmovement.org/african-secretariat

Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to welcoming you to future editions.

PAID OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW OPEN.IHRAM and IHRAM Press are currently accepting submissions for two exciting opportunities...
06/14/2026

PAID OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW OPEN.

IHRAM and IHRAM Press are currently accepting submissions for two exciting opportunities:

✦ IHRAM Press 2026: Women of Colour, Culture & Becoming: Seeking poetry, essays, short stories, and visual art that explore identity, culture, migration, resilience, intersectional feminism, and the experiences of women of colour worldwide.

https://humanrightsartmovement.org/ihram-submissions

✦ African Human Rights Spoken Word Contest 4.0: Submit a 1-minute original spoken word video addressing human rights issues in Africa for a chance to win cash prizes and have your work showcased at the International Human Rights Art Festival in New York City. Whether you’re a writer, poet, visual artist, activist, or spoken word performer, we invite you to use your creativity to spark dialogue, challenge injustice, and inspire change.

https://humanrightsartmovement.org/african-human-rights-spoken-word-contest-40

Swipe through to learn more about each opportunity.

Apply through the link in our bio.

Questions? Send us a DM, we’re happy to help.

We are proud to welcome GenDAR (Generation for Development Arts and Representation) as the newest office of the IHRAM Af...
06/13/2026

We are proud to welcome GenDAR (Generation for Development Arts and Representation) as the newest office of the IHRAM African Secretariat!

Based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, GenDAR is a youth-led, feminist, community-based nonprofit organization working to advance gender equality, equity, and human rights through art, community engagement, and creative empowerment.

Through the House of GenDAR, the organization provides workshops, artist residencies, creative programming, and safe, inclusive spaces for womxn and gender-diverse youth to learn, create, connect, and thrive.

As we celebrate Pride Month, we are honored to partner with an organization that champions human rights, artistic expression, and the voices of marginalized communities. Together, we look forward to creating new opportunities for collaboration, advocacy, and cultural exchange across Africa and beyond.

Please join us in welcoming GenDAR to the International Human Rights Art Movement family. 💜

From Gaza, a vision of hope and resilience. 🌿Ammar Qahwaji, founder of The Sumud Project, presents Bayt Al Sumud, a prop...
06/12/2026

From Gaza, a vision of hope and resilience. 🌿

Ammar Qahwaji, founder of The Sumud Project, presents Bayt Al Sumud, a proposed safe tent space for displaced children in Gaza where art, play, learning, and psychosocial support can help restore a sense of safety and belonging.

Born from the urgent realities of war, this project seeks to create a place where children can heal, dream, and find hope again.

Since June 2025, Ammar and The Sumud Project have led more than 46 humanitarian initiatives supporting displaced families with food, water, shelter, and children's programs.

Bayt Al Sumud is a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, spaces for creativity, care, and childhood can become acts of resilience and hope.

Time is running out.Applications for IHRAF Queens 2026 close on June 15: https://humanrightsartmovement.org/ihraf-queens...
06/11/2026

Time is running out.

Applications for IHRAF Queens 2026 close on June 15: https://humanrightsartmovement.org/ihraf-queens-call-2026

We are looking for Queens-based artists whose work explores human rights, identity, culture, community, and social change through theater, dance, music, spoken word, performance art, and interdisciplinary practices.

Queens is home to more than 160 languages and people from over 120 countries, making it one of the most diverse places in the world. This festival is dedicated to celebrating those voices through the power of art.

Selected artists receive a performance stipend, marketing support, technical rehearsal, stage management, and professional photo documentation.

Don't miss your chance to be part of IHRAF Queens 2026.

Tag a Queens-based artist who should apply.

Pride Month is a celebration of visibility, dignity, self-expression, and the ongoing fight for equality.Throughout hist...
06/11/2026

Pride Month is a celebration of visibility, dignity, self-expression, and the ongoing fight for equality.

Throughout history, artists have played a vital role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights—using creativity to challenge injustice, tell untold stories, and build spaces where every voice can be seen and heard.

Art has long been a force for visibility, resistance, and social change. This Pride Month, we celebrate the artists, activists, and communities who continue to advance equality and human rights around the world.

LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, and every story shared through art helps create a more inclusive future.

Tag an LGBTQ+ artist whose work inspires you and help us celebrate the creativity, courage, and impact of artists in our community.

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