International Human Rights Art Festival at Court Square theater

The International Human Rights Art Movement announces its second IHRAF Festival: Queens, adding to its annual IHRAF Festival roster (3 this year), September 18-20, 2026, at the Court Square Theater in Long Island City. The IHRAF Festival uses creativity and beauty to fight for human rights and social justice, and fight against authoritarianism and division.

IHRAF: Queens will highlight the talent and passion of Queens-based artists, representing the most diverse neighborhood in the world. It involves 25 performances in five performance blocks, curated by Holly Hepp-Galvan (faculty of Hunter College and Fordham University) and Mare Nostrum Elements (Emerging Choreographer Series), in addition to our curated performances.

The International Human Rights Art Movement, founded at Dixon Place Theater (NY) in 2017 as the international Human Rights Art Festival, uses creative platforms (Festivals, IHRAM Press, African Secretariat etc.) to give voice to artists and issues around the world. We protect freedom of expression by highlighting those who might be suppressed or oppressed in their home countries. We bring together all members of society, from artists in-exile and at risk; to activists on the front lines of the struggle for rights and justice; to creators working in all media; to national and international politicians, government agencies, social leaders and celebrities. Creative engagement with all members of the society is the surest path toward positive change.

IHRAF: Queens is made possible by generous support from Alliance of Resident Theatres-NY, Citizens Committee for New York City, and the New York Foundation for the Arts: Queens Arts Fund (QAF).