Presentation of TEJA, the art network for contexts of resistance and displacement

On the upcoming date of May 13 at 12:00 p.m., the emblematic Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid will be hosting the official presentation of TEJA, a network of cultural spaces in Spain committed to supporting artists and cultural professionals enduring situations of vulnerability, especially in places with conflict, forced displacement and censorship. Free entry until the event’s capacity is reached.

The meeting, which will be taking place at the Sala Valle-Inclán, will bring together artists, cultural managers, activists and people allied with the initiative, at an event open to dialogue, reflection and the strengthening of collaborative international networks. Through presentations, interventions and spaces for conversation, the work that TEJA has been developing to promote a culture of resistance, memory and solidarity, using art as a tool for social transformation, will be shared. A network of cultural action for facing an emergency.

TEJA is an international cultural network of solidarity that provides support to artists and cultural professionals in emergency situations. It came about in 2022 as an immediate response by the artistic community and independent cultural spaces to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Over a short time, the initiative has expanded its scope of action to other places in crisis, growing stronger as a project intending to remain in place, offering material and symbolic support to artists threatened by violent, authoritarian and unstable environments.

After the success of the residencies awarded in 2023 and 2024, TEJA is now extending its commitment with six new residencies lasting three months each from March to December of this year. The host spaces include: La Escocesa (Barcelona), hablarenarte / Planta Alta (Madrid), Paisanaje (Madrid), Moving Artists (Bilbao) and Espositivo (Madrid). During their stay in Spain, residents will receive accommodation, legal and psychological counseling, as well as access to a network of organizations and professionals with whom they will be able to share, develop and continue their creative projects.

The artists selected for the 2025 Program are Shada Safadi, Manar Idris, Tareq Khalaf, Sabreen Haj Hammad, Shaima Mohammad Ali and Darina Jabr.

TEJA’s members include: Casa Árabe (@casa_arabe), Casa de Velázquez (@casadevelazquez), Círculo de Bellas Artes (@cbamadrid), Espositivo (@espositivomad), hablarenarte (@hablarenarte) - Planta Alta (@plantaaltamadrid), Hangar (@hangar_org), Institute for Postnatural Studies (@instituteforpostnaturalstudies), La Casa Encendida (@lacasaencendida), LaEscocesa (@laescocesabcn), MACBA (@macba_barcelona), Moving Artists (@movartists), MNCARS (Museo Reina Sofía) (@museoreinasofia), Nave Oporto (@naveoporto), Paisanaje (@_paisanaje_) y Proyecto Celesta (@proyecto_celesta).