16 years

advocating for

human rights

Image: A CITY IN LIMBO by Brittany Greeson

Photo by Wil Sands, 2022

Featured Event:

storytelling that informs policy

AWP presents Storytelling that Informs Policy, a symposium exploring how visual media and tools can open up dialogue and inform new perspectives on understanding the root causes of forced displacement, and the roles we play in identifying new and creative solutions for growing global displacement. 

Join us in-person at the Hague Humanity Hub on June 7th from 16:00-19:00pm CEST

In-Person Registration

Or join us virtually through the live broadcast of the event on June 7th from 9:00-11:00am CST

Live Broadcast Registration

Oscar B. Castillo and Wil Sands for BordersCruzadas

currently on view

BordersCruzadas: A collaborative story

AWP presents BordersCruzadas: A Collaborative Story, an exhibition in development from photojournalists Wil Sands, Oscar B. Castillo, that compiles documentary photography, research, and conversations in an effort to present both the physical and the symbolic boundaries that form America’s borders.

BordersCruzadas will be on view at 625 N Kingsbury St. from April 12- May 12, 11am to 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment

16 Years, 30+ Projects

ART WORKS Projects leverages the power of photography and documentary film to raise awareness and educate the public about some of the most pervasive and grave human rights violations.

Since ART WORKS launched 16 years ago, we’ve supported more than 30 projects documenting stories around the world.

SEE OUR WORK
Person standing in the center surrounded by a group, all looking towards the camera.

Jean Chung for Women between Peace and War: Afghanistan

our timeline

AWP opens with traveling exhibit “DARFUR/DARFUR” to 25 international cities.
2006 | AWP opens with traveling exhibit “DARFUR/DARFUR” to 25 international cities.
“Horn of Africa” opens at George Washington University
2011 | “Horn of Africa” opens at George Washington University
Person standing in the center surrounded by a group, all looking towards the camera.
2012 | AWP partners with SAPPI, Ideas That Matter, and UNWOMEN to produce exhibit "Women Between Peace and War"
In honor of World Refugee Day, images from “Sanctuary/Sustenance” are displayed in 20 international cities
2013 | In honor of World Refugee Day, images from “Sanctuary/Sustenance” are displayed in 20 international cities
Child sitting on shoulders of person cheering
2014 | “Children of Syria” exhibit opens at 625 Gallery; Filming begins for AWP’s first full-feature documentary film, “The Prosecutors”
Photographer Amanda Rivkin documents the realities of food access through solo exhibit, “Sustenance: Chicago and the Food Chain”
2015 | Photographer Amanda Rivkin documents the realities of food access through solo exhibit, “Sustenance: Chicago and the Food Chain”
MacArthur Foundation awards AWP with significant grant to complete post-production work and outreach for “The Prosecutors”
2016 | MacArthur Foundation awards AWP with significant grant to complete post-production work and outreach for “The Prosecutors”
Emerging Lens recipient, Isadora Kosofky, debuts exhibit, “Vinny & David: Life and Incarceration of a Family,” at 625 Gallery
2017 | Emerging Lens recipient, Isadora Kosofky, debuts exhibit, “Vinny & David: Life and Incarceration of a Family,” at 625 Gallery
Emerging Lens recipient, Rachel Woolf, debuts exhibit, “Deported: An American Division”; The first screening of “The Prosecutors” at the PSVI Conference in London
2018 | Emerging Lens recipient, Rachel Woolf, debuts exhibit, “Deported: An American Division”; The first screening of “The Prosecutors” at the PSVI Conference in London
Emerging Lens recipient, Megan Farmer, debuts, “Life After a Hate Crime,” with generous funding from the Henry Nias Foundation
2019 | Emerging Lens recipient, Megan Farmer, debuts, “Life After a Hate Crime,” with generous funding from the Henry Nias Foundation
AWP launches digital exhibit, “The Second Wave: Thailand’s Economic Struggle,” documenting the ongoing struggles of Covid-19 on the informal economy
2020 | AWP launches digital exhibit, “The Second Wave: Thailand’s Economic Struggle,” documenting the ongoing struggles of Covid-19 on the informal economy
AWP revisits Flint, MI in the midst of Covid-19 to develop collaborative exhibit, “ECHOES,” showcasing work created by students in the Youth News Movement
2021 | AWP revisits Flint, MI in the midst of Covid-19 to develop collaborative exhibit, “ECHOES,” showcasing work created by students in the Youth News Movement
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Congo Women show by Addario, Bleasdale, Haviv, Nachtwey at the Russell Senate building.

Congo/Women at the Russell Senate building

Bring an Exhibit to Your Community

All of our exhibitions are designed to tour and can be adapted to a broad spectrum of venue types and sizes.

We are happy to provide step-by-step support for hosting one of our exhibitions or other projects.

Contact us to learn more about bringing an ART WORKS Projects exhibit to your community.

HOST AN EXHIBIT

join our mailing list

Stay up-to-date on everything happening at ART WORKS Projects — new installations, artist talks, international advocacy, and more.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

our funders include

National Endowment for the Arts logo
Oak Foundation logo
UN Women logo
MacArthur Foundation logo with blue and green background
UNFPA logo in orange
UNICEF logo on a blue background

Support Our Work

Help ART WORKS unlock $50,000 in our year-end donor challenge. Any gift, at any amount will be matched dollar-per-dollar up to $50,000.

Since we launched as a human rights arts advocacy organization in Chicago sixteen years ago, we have made strides in establishing a significant global footprint. Using art to reach hundreds of thousands of viewers, AWP has inspired audience members on five continents to support an end to grave human rights abuses. While we are proud of our impact, we know more essential works needs to be done.

BECOME A SUPPORTER