Freedom of artistic expression is continuously challenged around the world, including in Europe.
On 19 May 2020, Freemuse Executive Director spoke with the European Parliament on freedom of artistic expression. The below is an extract of that briefing:
Artistic freedom needs to be explicitly recognised alongside media freedom, as an integral part of freedom of expression. This was the key message that Freemuse Executive Director, Srirak Plipat, delivered at an online meeting with Members of the European Parliament held yesterday, where he presented the latest Freemuse report on the State of Artistic Freedom 2020. Funding is also crucial. There is currently no funding mechanism in the EU for promoting or monitoring artistic freedom despite the fact that violations in Europe are on the rise. The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting the cultural sector very hard. Every effort is needed to ensure open access to funding in the interest of Europe’s cultural diversity and democratic health.
We connect, communicate and action our shared mission to defend freedom of artistic expression. We protect and defend the right for all people to express themselves artistically. We advocate for and spotlight artists and artistic works globally.
My belief is that it is most important for an artist to develop an approach and philosophy about life - if he has developed this philosophy, he does not put paint on canvas, he puts himself on canvas.
Painter Jakob Lawrence, 1917-2000
“I’m always alert, and don’t feel free to post what I want.”
INTERVIEW WITH ART BLOGGER CHRISTA ZAAT
Christa Zaat from the Netherlands, published images of three paintings by Harold Knight on her Facebook page Female Artists in History, which were later deleted by the platform.
"My publications and drawings are for the defence of the people and their rights[...]."
INTERVIEW WITH CARTOONIST ISMAIL AL-BOZOM
Members of the General Investigation Department of the Ministry of Interior in the Hamas government in Gaza arrested Ismail Al-Bozom because of his drawings and Facebook posts.
We understand that in these challenging and uncertain times, artists and those in the creative industry are being hit particularly hard.
For artists at risk, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new worries about restrictions on relocating into safe havens and residency programs both nationally and internationally.
We would like to assure you that the Freemuse Artist Support Program remains available for those in need of assistance.
We help artists and creatives in need of advocacy initiatives, awareness-raising campaigns, relocation advice, connections with other organisations and emergency financial assistance.
You can find more information and apply via our secure and encrypted website form. All communications with Freemuse are confidential.
