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The Fragile Triangle of Artistic Freedom: A Study of the Documentation and Monitoring of Artistic Freedom in the Global Landscape

Artistic freedom is a crucial element of freedom of expression, protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It encompasses the right to creative expression, participation in cultural life, and enjoyment of the arts. Within the European Union, cultural freedom and diversity are recognized in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Supporting fundamental rights, such as artistic freedom, is essential for promoting international democratic cooperation.

In line with our statement on Artistic Freedom, this week’s library addition date features a study from ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) that delves into the same subject. This study, authored by Sara Whyatt and Ole Reitov, seeks to equip decision-makers, donors, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the public with a deeper understanding of the current challenges within the ‘artistic freedom landscape.’ While freedom of expression is theoretically guaranteed by multiple international conventions that most states have ratified, violations of these fundamental human rights continue in many regions. Additionally, a rising number of pressure groups threaten artistic freedom while advancing their own ideologies.

Through interviews with key actors in the artistic freedom landscape and analysis of available reports, this study highlights how donors, international organizations, and CSOs perceive the challenges they face. It also reveals both positive developments and troubling negative trends in the protection of artistic freedom. Moreover, it sheds light on significant gaps in data collection and the limited number of donors dedicated to this cause, pointing to the urgent need for better monitoring systems. Violations of artistic freedom, ranging from censorship to repression, can affect every stage of the creative process—from production to distribution—and impact not only artists and cultural professionals but also institutions and the wider public.

Read the whole study by clicking the button below:

read the study

More info can be found on ifa’s website.