Ithaca City of Asylum (ICOA)

Ithaca City of Asylum (ICOA) is a community organization dedicated to providing sanctuary to writers whose works are suppressed, whose lives are threatened, whose cultures are vanishing, or whose languages are endangered. ICOA is a member of the International Cities of Refuge Network, one of only three member cities in the United States. Formed in 2001, ICOA has hosted writer, poet, and essayist Yi Ping; the late playwright and novelist Reza Daneshvar; poet and memoirist Sarah Mkhonza; poet and playwright Irakli Kakabadze; journalist Sonali Samarasinghe; journalist and memoirist Raza Rumi; political cartoonist Pedro Molina; poet, novelist, and satirist Dmitry Bykov; and filmmaker, writer and puppeteer Arthur Groys.

The problem

In many places in today’s world, writers face persecution for the statements they make in their art. Every writer who is silenced means one less voice to speak for thousands more against oppression.

Our approach

ICOA hosts one writer at a time (plus family members) for a two-year residence in partnership with a local institution of higher learning. Currently, our artist serves as a Visiting Affiliate Artist at Ithaca College. Cornell University has hosted past writers and currently provides substantial financial sponsorship. 

Our visiting writers teach, share their work through public events, and form alliances with local organizations. The resident benefits from a place to live, time to write, financial support, and community. Ithaca gains the perspective, friendship, and artistry of each visiting resident.

Our team

ICOA is a volunteer board of up to 20 members.

Contact information

Jason Freitag, Advisory Board Chair
ithacacityofasylum@gmail.com