Beyond borders

Welcoming international artists is an American imperative

by Lisa Richards Toney, President and CEO of APAP

Last month, my APAP colleague Krista Bradley attended the Pennsylvania Presenters Retreat, joining US and international colleagues. One takeaway was clear: too few people outside the performing arts field fully understand the vital role international touring artists play in advancing American national interests.

International artists are catalytic. They expand access, deepen relevance and inject a global perspective, strengthening our economy, civic life and diplomatic standing. Their work reminds us of our ¹shared humanity, bridging boundaries and celebrating the universal connections that unite us across cultures.

And by “field”, we mean more than a profession. It’s a global-to-local ecosystem – presenters, artists, agents, producers and advocates collaboratively fuelling the transformational power of the arts and ensuring its infrastructure is strong. Much like a campaign field operation, it mobilises people and resources everywhere.

Global voices, local impact 

International artists do more than enrich our stages. They
are vital to the cultural and economic systems America relies on. Programmes like Art in Exile in Germany show how
artists who have experienced displacement can collaborate with local communities to create art that fosters resilience and connection. 

When international artists bring these experiences and perspectives into our local communities, they deepen the impact of community-rooted ideas of resilience and connection. International artists are not just guests; they are partners in building resilient communities. By revitalising local economies, drawing in tourism and activating cultural infrastructure in rural and under-resourced regions, they help drive national growth.

A quiet crisis, with loud consequences

Yet a quiet crisis is unfolding. Artist mobility is being constrained, not just by visa delays, but by growing fear, frustration and unbridled wonderings about the future of cultural exchange. As one international colleague put it: “We don’t know if we’re welcome anymore.”

Touring plans are shifting across Europe, Asia and Canada. Visa complexities, mixed diplomatic signals and perceptions
of diminished engagement have the potential to erode trust. The consequences? Dissolving partnerships, stagnant innovation and reduced audience experiences will follow if nothing changes.

Our international colleagues are listening closely, wondering if their US counterparts still value cultural exchange. As they try to justify continued investment, our silence can read as indifference. We must speak up.

Global exchange is strategic infrastructure

In a fragmented world, cultural diplomacy remains a bridge. International touring reflects important values of freedom of expression, ingenuity and possibility. Each visiting artist reminds us, and the world, what it means to be a leader of purpose. They bring fresh approaches to shared challenges like trauma recovery, youth development, public space and education. Their work isn’t ornamental. It’s essential.

America’s global edge isn’t built on tech alone. It’s built on a belief that anyone, anywhere, can make something from nothing. That spirit powers our startups, our “Main Streets”, our civic institutions and our stages. 

International artists embody the spirit of creativity against the odds. Picture young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, working alongside international and local artists in their adopted countries. They transform empty walls into collaborative murals and blend musical traditions, using art to bridge cultural divides. That’s bootstrapped creativity. That’s resilience.

And when Americans are exposed to international art-making here in the US, it helps to renew the ideals that have long defined us. Freedom fuels excellence. Creativity knows no borders.

Global artists, local strength

Welcoming international artists isn’t just goodwill. It’s a strategic investment in America’s future.

 Cultural agencies like Arts Council of Wales are investing in solidarity and reciprocity. US organisations such as Artpace in San Antonio, Art Omi in upstate New York, The Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh, and NARS Foundation in Brooklyn are doing the hard work: hosting international artists, managing visas and fostering deep community engagement.

International artists bring lived experience and place-based knowledge. In one project, ² Central African herders collaborated with Arctic Indigenous leaders using puppetry and street theatre to share survival strategies across continents. It wasn’t a spectacle. It was civic dialogue.

Visa policy: what to know

 Earlier this year, APAP co-hosted a session on US visa policy with a non-profit supporting international artist mobility.

Takeaways were that visa timelines are unpredictable, premium processing is often essential, and some artists face added scrutiny. Who gets welcomed, delayed or denied
can reveal deeper systemic changes and the process
remains arduous.

APAP’s field education and advocacy help arts professionals prepare. Our message: plan early and budget for delays. The rules are steady, for now, but vulnerable to change.  Expert resources such as ³Artists from Abroad are available.

A moment to lead

The field has a unique role to play in reaffirming that America still welcomes the world’s artists, not out of charity, but because it is who we are.

The arts may not control every barrier, but we can raise our volume.  We have a whole groundswell of people who will fight for the arts, and if we can raise all those voices, the world cannot ignore us.

Continue to work with colleagues to bring international artists to your communities. Rally your networks. Ask your patrons and partners to speak up. When international artists come to the U.S, they generate jobs, connect communities and remind us not only who we are but also who we’re meant to be.  We see in them our greatest assets.

Let’s keep it that way.