Who We Are
The Create to be Free Platform is created and supported by the Council of Europe. It is designed to foster dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy for artistic freedom as a fundamental pillar of democratic societies. The Platform is managed in cooperation with partner organisations, the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Culture and Heritage (CDCULT), and the Free to Create Expert Team.
About Create to be Free
The Create to be Free Platform is a new platform created and supported by the Council of Europe, designed to foster dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy for artistic freedom as a fundamental pillar of democratic societies. Building on the Council of Europe’s longstanding commitment to cultural rights and human rights, this Platform addresses the urgent need for an interactive and inclusive space connecting artists, cultural stakeholders, policymakers from member states, and civil society.
Our Mission
Artistic freedom serves as both a cornerstone of democracy and an early indicator of democratic health. Through comprehensive analysis, practical resources, and collaborative networks, the Platform supports the protection and promotion of the freedom of artistic expression across Europe. The Platform serves as a vital resource hub, offering regular updates, in-depth analysis, and practical tools for those working to defend and advance artistic freedom.
Purpose of the Website
The website createtobefree.coe.int provides public access to information on the aims, activities, and achievements of the Council of Europe and its partners concerning artistic freedom, cultural rights, and human rights. It serves as a resource hub for policy-makers, cultural professionals, and civil society. The platform does not require user registration and does not provide interactive features that collect personal data (such as contact forms or user accounts).
Platform Sections
In Focus
Deep-dive analysis on a specific aspect of artistic freedom identified by the Advisory Board, affecting artistic freedom, featuring a lead essay, interviews, and is linked to case studies, and content in the Resources section, that examines current challenges and responses across Europe.
Digest
Regular updates provide a panoramic view of developments in artistic freedom tracking institutional changes, policy developments, and emerging trends across the cultural landscape.
Resources
A comprehensive repository of documents from across Europe, includes publicly available manifestos, reports, toolkits, legal frameworks, and policy documents. All resources are searchable by keywords, categories, and publishing organisations, making it easy to find relevant materials for research, advocacy, or policy development.
Our team
The platform is guided by:
- Council of Europe Steering Committee for Culture and Heritage (CDCULT)
- Advisory Board in cooperation with partner organisations
- Free-to-Create Expert Team
Governance Structure
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of the Platform comprises Council of Europe representatives, partner organisations, and independent experts who jointly identify focus topics and recommend strategic actions to ensure the Platform’s relevance and impact.
Members of the Advisory Board
Bureau of the Steering Committee for Culture and Heritage (CDCULT)
- Dr Anna Steiner – Chair of the CDCULT, European and International Cultural Affairs, Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (Austria)
Free to Create Expert Team:
- Dr Katalin Krasznahorkai – Art Historian, Author, Curator of the Digital Exhibition
- Ms Sara Whyatt – Research Director at Freemuse
- Ms Olivia Solis – Visual Communicator and Digital Product Designer
- Ms Ana Martinovic – Lawyer – Human Rights and Art Training Course on Freedom of Artistic Expression
Partner Organisations:
Council of Europe Secretariat
Culture and Heritage for Democracy Division
Working under the guidance of the Steering Committee for Culture and Heritage (CDCULT), the Secretariat ensures alignment with the Council of Europe’s objectives and mission while coordinating content development.
Collaborative approach
Our multi-stakeholder collaborative approach aims at providing diverse perspectives while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and inclusivity. The Create to be Free platform operates with transparent governance structure, content development, and decision-making processes. All content undergoes rigorous review by our expert team and endorsement by the Council of Europe in consultation with the CDCULT Bureau, ensuring compatibility with the Council’s mandate and mission.