Culture Action Europe, representing leading European cultural networks, has expressed growing concern over government interference in the work of cultural organisations across Europe. They have created a call to action, which encourages institutions to sign in support of protecting artistic freedom and autonomy. A number of institutions have already signed and the full outcome will be published on Monday (07/10/2024).
The call to action launches off of a 2024 survey, Creative Pulse, taken from December 2023 - February 2024 on the working conditions of art workers. The project, done in collaboration with Panteia, a data research company, was a wide research on the restrictions preventing art-workers from accessing labour security. It revealed that 34% of respondents have experienced limitations on their creative expression. Citing Articles 11 and 13 of the European Charter of Human Rights, (protecting artistic freedom and rights to expression), and Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union (protecting equality between citizens), they strongly condemn increasing restrictions applied to artistic expression across European member states.
Culture Action Europe warns of a worrying trend of political censorship, driven by rising far-right movements, and urges EU institutions to safeguard artistic freedom through legislative and policy measures. They also advocate for further research and monitoring to ensure artists can create without fear of intimidation. The organisation calls on EU Member States to protect cultural spaces as defenders of democracy and pluralism, and to ensure their independence from political influence.
photo credit: Culture Action Europe
