Around the world, writers, journalists, visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, actors, and other creative people are censored, harassed, imprisoned, or killed for speaking their minds or exercising their imaginations. Since 2001, Ithaca City of Asylum has welcomed at-risk writers and artists into the Ithaca community, enabling them to continue their work and helping them and their families meet the challenges of a new environment. Learn more.
Come celebrate our 25th with us!
Twenty-five years ago, a group of local writers declared Ithaca a place where persecuted writers and artists could safely pursue their work. Since then, Ithaca City of Asylum has welcomed creative and courageous individuals from China, Iran, Swaziland, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nicaragua, and Russia for two-year residencies. Celebrate this anniversary year with IMAGINE!, a series of dialogues on the power of imagination as a public good. Each invites a former program participant and local residents to share their perspectives on making art, exercising rights, and imagining a better world for all.
News & Events
Imagine! series resumes October 2
Former Ithaca City of Asylum writer-in-residence Raza Rumi joins writer and filmmaker Austin Bunn and the Kitchen Theatre Company’s Emily Jackson for the second dialogue celebrating Ithaca’s 25th anniversary of providing refuge for persecuted writers and artists.
Arthur Groys offers shadow puppet workshop for kids
Ithaca City of Asylum artist-in-residence Arthur Groys will lead a free workshop at the Tompkins County Public Library on May 2 from 2 to 4 pm. Arthur will introduce participants to the art of shadow theater. The kids will then create their own puppets and take part in a performance.
Molina & Lehmann kick off Imagine! series
Nicaraguan cartoonist Pedro X. Molina and Cornell soil scientist Johannes Lehmann kick off the Imagine! series celebrating the 25th anniversary of Ithaca City of Asylum. Molina and Lehmann are working on a graphic novel together.
Ithaca City of Asylum 