CoE Study finds good practice by States in their protection of artistic freedom

“Culture is an essential condition for the guarantee of freedom of expression, by providing the means, mechanisms and discourses that are imperative to the pursuit of creativity and expressiveness without further restrictions before the conditions imposed by society” Portuguese response

A review of responses from over 20 Council of Europe member states shows that more than 70% recognise artistic freedom as a constitutional right. Many states have strengthened legislation to protect the right to create and share work, safeguard the independence of cultural institutions, and ensure transparency in cultural funding. Policies on fair pay, social benefits, and improved working conditions aim to reduce precarity and self-censorship in the creative sector. While most countries address threats to artistic freedom through national Ombudsmen and human rights institutions, few have dedicated monitoring bodies or redress mechanisms for artists. Around one-third offer support for writers in exile. Digital challenges are largely addressed through broader strategies on AI, copyright, media regulation, and content moderation rather than specific laws. To be published.

UNESCO 2025 global report on cultural policies launched

“It’s simply not possible to imagine a healthy, sustainable society without protecting artists and safeguarding cultural heritage – it’s like trying to picture a body without a soul. Even in times of uncertainty and conflict, when culture becomes a target, people and communities also have this amazing way of fighting back.”

On 29 September 2025, UNESCO’s 2025 Global Report on Cultural Policies was launched at MONDIACULT 2025 ↗ in Barcelona. Among its themes, the report dedicates a chapter to artistic freedom, under in Chapter 6 – “Guaranteeing Cultural Rights,” examining both individual and collective rights to participate in cultural life, to express oneself, and to access cultural heritage and creative expression. The report also highlights freedom of expression in the digital environment (e.g. under the chapter, “Leveraging Digital Technologies in the Culture Sector”) and identifies protection for artists and culture professionals at risk as a key concern. Read more here ↗

UN Special Rapporteur Alexandra Xanthaki reports on AI and creativity

“Despite the definite genuine support that AI can offer for creative solutions, the bulk of AI creative tools today are hijacked by big technology corporations whose main interest is not the advancement of humanity, but rather economic profit.”

UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Alexandra Xanthaki, turns her attention to the ways in which artificial intelligence restricts creativity in all its dimensions. In the light of several United Nations reports on artificial intelligence, the Special Rapporteur is concerned that artificial intelligence continues to be hailed as transformational, side -stepping effective and urgently needed measures to guarantee that it is used in a manner that complies with human rights. The report sets out the elements of the cultural rights approach, which is necessary to ensure that artificial intelligence does not stifle human creativity. She emphasizes that States, in fulfilling their human rights obligations, must urgently set limits on corporations that use artificial intelligence for profit. Read more here ↗

Supporting creativity in exile: Initiatives aid at-risk artists across Europe

“… a network of collaborations [that] aims to empower the role of artists, cultural workers, and institutions in Europe, and their role in activating trans-diasporic and transcultural spaces, as we continue to reflect on what diversity and solidarity mean in practice”.

On the Move presents a comparative analysis of two initiatives supporting displaced and at-risk artists: Rawabet and State of the ART(ist). Rawabet, launched by Ettijahat – Independent Culture, is a transnational programme spanning six European countries, focusing on Arab artists who have migrated since 2015. It offers production grants, residencies, mentorship, and public presentation opportunities, aiming to foster integration and cross-cultural collaboration. In contrast, State of the ART(ist), implemented by Ars Electronica in Austria, provides international visibility and recognition to artists facing political repression, conflict, or social inequality. While Rawabet emphasizes long-term development and community engagement, State of the ART(ist) serves as a global platform for showcasing mature works. Both programmes highlight the importance of tailored support in addressing the unique challenges faced by displaced artists. Read more here ↗

IFACCA – Charting the future: culture as our compass 

“…respect for diversity and freedom of artistic and cultural expressions means sometimes withstanding discomfort and understanding that our perspectives can be challenged; that we have the agency to consider and measure our response; and it is part of the role of the arts to provoke and challenge.”

In its dossier published to coincide with Mondiacult 2025 https://www.unesco.org/en/mondiacult International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Associations (IFACCA) argues that artistic freedom is both underpinning and under pressure in current cultural policies. It highlights the multiple threats to this freedom, including censorship, lack of legal protection, economic precarity for artists, digital monopolies that squeeze out diverse voices, and insufficient recognition of Indigenous knowledge and living cultures. It emphasises that policy must not only protect the rights of creators but also secure the ecosystem that makes creative freedom sustainable (fair working conditions, resilient public support, regulatory frameworks for AI and digital media). For IFACCA, ensuring that artistic freedom is central, legally, economically, culturally, is essential for pluralism, innovation, and participatory cultural life.