RENA — Refuge Network for Artists — is committed to safeguarding freedom of expression and the protection of artists and other cultural workers at risk.
Our aim is to build a strong network of protective residences in Switzerland where artists who are threatened can find refuge and continue their creative work in safety.
Working together with the international organizations ICORN and Artists at Risk (AR), RENA creates a network in Switzerland dedicated to human rights and art.
Read more about RENA
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Teresa Chen is a visual artist and has been active in the cultural field since 1999. She is president of the Shedhalle association in Zurich and supports the international organization Artists at Risk (AR) in Switzerland. With her experience in the art community and interest in migration issues, she serves as president of RENA.
Nicole Henning
Nicole Henning is a visual artist and stage designer. She was president of the association Gastatelier Gleis70 in Zurich from 2018 to 2024 and brings her experience in managing cultural institutions to the development of RENA and her work as treasurer.
Alexandra Stäheli
Alexandra Stäheli heads the international exchange program Atelier Mondial in Basel, which offers artists worldwide residency opportunities. Her expertise in cultural project management and international cooperation contributes significantly to the development and organization of RENA.
Adi Blum is a musician, author and coordinator of the Swiss-German PEN Center's Writers-in-Exile program. He is also a board member of the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) and brings his experience in building and managing international networks for artists at risk to his role as Managing Director of RENA.
Become a member — Get involved and support human rights and art!
By becoming a member of RENA, you are actively supporting human rights and the protection of artists at risk. Our first Network Meeting and General Assembly took place in Basel (CH), Atelier Mondial: Friday, June 27, 2025. We introduced our new advisory board: Demian Cornu, Emilia Sulek & Daniel Gmür.
Demian Cornu studied Religious Studies and History, worked extensively in the asylum system, and has travelled widely. Today, he divides his time between fatherhood, writing, activism, care work, volunteer engagements, and part-time jobs. He is Co-President of the Swiss German PEN Centre and a featured protagonist in the multi-award-winning documentary Die Anhörung.
Daniel Gmür is an independent lawyer specialising in migration, social welfare, labour law, and the law of non-profit organisations, particularly housing cooperatives. Beyond his legal work, he has been involved in cultural events and venues and serves as a member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt.
Emilia Sulek is a freelance journalist and author, and an editor of Nomadic Peoples. After two Master’s degrees from the University of Warsaw, she earned a PhD in Central Asian Studies at Humboldt University in Berlin. Since 2016, she has taught and conducted research in Switzerland at the Universities of Zurich, Bern, and Fribourg. In 2024, she was nominated as a newcomer for the Zurich Journalism Prize.
The Swiss German PEN Center became a Supporting Member of RENA in 2025.
Membership categories & contributions:
Individual: from CHF 50
reduced CHF 30
voluntarily increased contribution CHF 100
Collective: from CHF 100
graduated contributions according to annual turnover
From CHF 1,500 per year
for organizations or individuals who wish to support RENA specifically
Your benefits as a regular and supporting member:
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Co-participation: Voting rights at the General Assembly.
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Network: Access to an international art and human rights network.
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Discounts: Discounts for events & publications.
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Flexibility: contribution levels depending on financial situation (from CHF 30).
Additional benefits for supporting members :
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Mentioned by name on the website & in publications.
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Opportunity to help shape projects.
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Exclusive invitations to supporting member meetings.
Become a member and help create refuge for artists at risk!
Support RENA.
Make protection possible for artists who need refuge!
Many artists around the world risk persecution, prison or even their lives because of their work. With your support, we are creating protective residences in Switzerland where artists who are threatened can find refuge and continue their work in safety. Every donation helps to create a safe place for creativity and freedom of expression!
Crowdfunding campaign (successfully finished July 2025):
Alternative donation options:
In addition to wemakeit, there are other ways to support RENA.
Bank transfer:
IBAN: CH93 0900 0000 1651 0304 5
Account holder: Refuge Network for Artists (RENA)
Purpose: Donation RENA
Twint donation:
Scan the QR code or click the link.
Become a supporting member
From CHF 1,500 per year, supporting members receive exclusive insights and the opportunity to play an active role in shaping the organization: read more.
Every donation helps to protect artistic freedom! Thank you for your support.