THE POWER OF ART – THE STORY

The reports, pictures and films about children being sold and enslaved shocked the artist Christina Seibold deeply.
"I wanted to step into action and help directly…and not just protest", as she explained her motivation for founding Artists For Freedom.

Bettina Landgrafe/Madamfo Ghana as guest speaker at our Artists for Freedom opening event
Her project was selected by Christina Seibold, because it acts selectively on short routes and helps!

In 2008 the first project ideas were created, while working together with a member of the “European Institute for Social Work” in Berlin. They worked together to create an art project, where artists can apply their creative energy towards the attention of human rights. They wanted to encourage artists to use the power of art to educate about the subject of human rights and help at the same time, supporting affected children by donating a portion of the sales of their arts.

During a visit at the United Nations in Vienna (UN.GIFT) (2009), the idea was presented and the concept was worked out. In the course of this work Christina Seibold recognized that she wanted to set the focus of her actions and engagements on certain priorities. She created a unique project idea along with like-minded supporters, that became the basis for creating “Artists For Freedom”.

What once began as an idea has become a passionate creative process for many artists of the visual arts, musicians and designing artists.

Teamwork: Coordination of the following exhibition in the town hall of Bensberg, Bergisch-Gladbach

After several small events in Germany and Switzerland and with the strong commitment of it’s staff, Artists for Freedom was able to stage the first large official opening exhibition in May 2010 in Germany at the Galileo Park in Lennestadt. The official Artists For Freedom song “Going Home” was introduced at the event in a live performance by SYNDICATE and JD WOOD. In addition, the world premier of the second AFF song “Better World”, featuring Richard Drummond, was presented live on stage with great success.

Stefan Seibold, Richard Dana Drummond and JD Wood presenting "Going home" live and unplugged

Art educators have also joined in the persuit of the goals and enable the expansion of Artists For Freedom’s committed scope of action. One of the results from this is the "AFF KIDS ART" concept, created by Karin Seitz, which has been introduced to schools and kindergardens by Artists For Freedom volunteers and supporters.

AFF KIDS ART with Susanne Westhoff by the concept of Karin Seitz

It has been and will remain of greatest importance to Artists For Freedom to support comprehensible, sustainable aid projects, that fight for the rights of children, fight against child slavery and human trafficking. Artists For Freedom exclusively cooperates with aid projects that can warrant transparency in the management of donations and commit the full amount of donations towards their projects.

Rescued child slaves in Kpando, Madamfo Ghana e.V.

Meanwhile many people across the globe have volunteered to support Artists For Freedom.

Get involved! You are cordially invited.

Tell us about your ideas or make a donation (account specified below). Help sponsor our exhibitions or just simply spread the word and ideas of Artists For Freedom so many others may also be encouraged to help and give thought towards human rights and children's rights.

Help us make a clear and noticeable statement against child slavery and human trafficking.

The Team of Artists for Freedom