University in Exile for Afghan Artists

In collaboration with the Artistic Freedom Initiative, the Consortium is committed to bringing 10 endangered Afghan artists on 1-year fellowships to the programs and divisions in the arts at The New School. When we succeed, the Consortium will have effectively created a second University in Exile at The New School, the first of which was founded by The New School’s first President, Alvin Johnson in 1933. Artists who have accepted a fellowship offer are profiled below.

Ahmad Fanoos, Musician

Renowned Afghan musician, Ahmad Fanoos, will be the first artist in residence in the fall of 2022. Fanoos is an acclaimed vocalist, harmonium and tabla player, teacher, and composer. He is known for singing in the Ghazal style (a form of poetic recitation which originated in 6th-century Arabic verse and is popular in India and Pakistan). His performances are available to view here.

He will be hosted by the Mannes School of Music in the College of Performing Arts at The New School.

Sahraa Karimi, Filmmaker

Sahraa Karimi is an acclaimed filmmaker who has enjoyed international success in her career as a groundbreaking screenwriter, director, and professor. She is the first woman ever to head Afghan Films as its Director-General. Karimi’s filmography includes works such as Afghan Women behind the Wheel (2009), and Hava, Maryam, Ayesha (2019).

She will be hosted by the School of Media Studies at The New School.

Donations

Please donate to the New University in Exile Consortium to contribute to a fellowship for an Afghan artist. Donations can be made here.