MANIFESTO

Artistic freedom is under attack

Recent times have seen the rise of a new set of moralistic and political attitudes which many institutions and activist groups have adopted as dogma. While society continues to debate complex issues such as race, sex and gender equality, religion, climate change, and geopolitical events, the arts have rushed to offer singular, unnuanced responses that shut out other views and often alienate audiences.

Art schools, galleries, theatres, dance and music stages, and film sets were once platforms that nurtured diverse ideas and contrasting perspectives. Today, many of these institutions actively discriminate against artists and audiences who do not subscribe to their views.

Artists face a stifling environment of censure and intimidation. Many people working in the arts are afraid to express everyday views. Freedom in the Arts responds to this crisis in the cultural sector.

Freedom in the Arts is a 5-year emergency project to tackle the culture of fear and intimidation facing artists.

It will strive to reverse the ideological capture of arts institutions and encourage free thought and expression.

FREEDOM IN THE ARTS WILL -

  • Protect the arts. We will be champions of artistic freedom to make the arts once more the place forthe exploration of difficult ideas.

  • Protect artists. We will support artists experiencing harassment or cancellation for their beliefs.

  • Protect arts institutions. We will hold arts institutions to account to ensure they serve the public, maintain impartiality and welcome a diversity of thought and belief.

IN OUR FIRST YEAR WE WILL -

  • Launch a campaign inviting artists, institutions, and audiences to endorse the principles of artistic freedom.

  • Draw together an advisory board of experts in the fields of the arts, law, and media.

  • Publish opinion pieces in the industry and popular press to raise awareness of the censorship affecting the arts.

  • Consult artists and arts workers who have experienced censorship, harassment, or cancellation to understand their needs.

  • Commission academic research to survey the state of artistic freedoms in the institutions and to establish campaign priorities.

  • Host a ‘State of the Arts Now’ event in 2024 to invite open conversations about restoring the freedom of expression in the art world.