Founding members of the art collective Pussy Riot and Zona Prava, Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alekhina are Russian conceptual artists and political activists. In August 2012, following an anti-Putin performance in Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, they were sentenced to two years' imprisonment. In March 2014 they opened the Mordovia office of Zona Prava, their newly created prisoners’ rights NGO. Tolokonnikova and Alekhina are Lennon Ono Grant for Peace recipients.

Pussy Riot is a feminist punk guerilla performance collective of approximately 11 women. Their unauthorized public performances address feminism, LGBT rights, and opposition to Russian President Putin.

Zona Prava (Zone of Rights) was founded by Nadya and Masha on their December 2013 release from prison. The goal of Zona Prava is to aid those in prison who are ready and willing to fight for their rights. The organization provides information, legal representation, safety monitoring, advocacy and oversight.

Co-presented with the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies and with support from the Institute for Research on Women and Gender.

Established with the generous support of alumna Penny W. Stamps, the Speaker Series brings respected emerging and established artists/designers from a broad spectrum of media to the School to conduct a public lecture and engage with students, faculty, and the larger University and Ann Arbor communities. Additional support is provided by series sponsors Michigan Radio, WUOM 91.7 FM and Arts @ Michigan.


Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place on Thursdays at 5:10 pm at the historic Michigan Theater, located at 603 E. Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor, and are free of charge and open to the public.