City of Asylum Exiled Writer and Artist Residency Program

The City of Asylum Exiled Writer and Artist Residency Program is a long-term residency for literary writers and other artists who are in exile from their home countries and under threat of persecution because of their work. The goal of this sanctuary program is to enable each writer- and artist-in-residence to continue to create while transitioning to a stable, independent life in exile.

For two years or more, we provide our writers and artists with a home on Sampsonia Way, a stipend, legal counsel, medical benefits, and access to professional development opportunities. Our program is effective: Each writer or artist hosted by City of Asylum has created a full-length work while in residence, and has been able to continue to create. Virtually all of our past resident writers have gone on to find full-time employment in the U.S.

Click on an image below to learn more about each writer or artist’s story…

You can hear from two writers, Osama Alomar and Tuhin Das, as well as City of Asylum co-founder Diane Samuels and other staff members, in this short video made by Pittsburgh-based filmmaker Ash Warren: