Resources

A comprehensive collection of reports, guides, treaties, and initiatives from artists leading organizations.

An artist under pressure might look for stories from others who faced , or dive into of bans and restrictions to get a sense of what challenges could lie ahead.

A cultural organization might scan that safeguard artistic work, draw inspiration from campaigns, or explore how peers use inclusion and diversity as part of their strategy.

A policymaker or researcher might compare reports from different countries, review international legal , or read policy evaluations to understand what’s working — and what’s not.

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Action Plans

Strategic frameworks and programs by governments, NGOs, and institutions

French Minister of Culture announces Plan for Freedom of Artistic Creation

Publisher: 

French Ministry of Culture

French Minister of Culture announces Plan for Freedom of Artistic Creation

Year: 

2024

French Ministry of Culture launches action plan for free artistic creation

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Policy & Governance

Action Plans

Strategic frameworks and programs by governments, NGOs, and institutions

Plan pour la liberté de création

Publisher: 

French Ministry of Culture

Plan pour la liberté de création

Year: 

2024

Action plan by the French Ministry of Culture and the Observatory of Freedom of Artistic Creation for improving existing laws, frameworks and processes of protection free artistic creation and expression.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Policy & Governance

Action Plans

Strategic frameworks and programs by governments, NGOs, and institutions

Cultural Rights Plan, Spain – Plan de Derechos Culturales

Publisher: 

Ministry of Culture – Spain | Ministerio de Cultura, España

Cultural Rights Plan, Spain – Plan de Derechos Culturales

Year: 

2025

The Cultural Rights Plan, a roadmap that redefines cultural policies from a human rights perspective. The Plan recognizes culture as a fundamental right and a common good, linked to well-being, democracy, and social justice, and proposes a paradigm shift by emphasizing its active role in social transformation and the consolidation of a more just and participatory democracy.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Policy & Governance

Action Plans

Strategic frameworks and programs by governments, NGOs, and institutions

Swedish National Action Plan: Defending free speech

Swedish National Action Plan: Defending free speech

Year: 

2018

This action plan, issued by the Swedish Government, is specifically intended to safeguard politically elected representatives, journalists and artists as a part of the infrastructure of the democratic discourse. These actors are particularly exposed due to the functions they have in society.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Emergency Resources

Policy & Governance

Action Plans

Strategic frameworks and programs by governments, NGOs, and institutions

Articles and Publications

Essays, op-eds, and academic writing.

1 2 »
Anthropic’s Landmark Copyright Settlement: Implications for AI Developers and Enterprise Users

Publisher: 

Ropes & Gray

Anthropic’s Landmark Copyright Settlement: Implications for AI Developers and Enterprise Users

Year: 

2025

Anthropic (Claude), a leading developer of artificial intelligence large language models (LLMs), has reached a settlement in a closely watched dispute with a class of authors and publishers who alleged copyright infringement arising from Anthropic’s use of copyrighted materials to train its generative AI models. This article analyses implications of this settlement, which, if approved by the court, will be the largest publicly reported copyright recovery in history in the US.

Authors: 

Matthew J. Rizzolo

Regina Sam Penti

Yam Schaal

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

AI & Emerging Tech

Legal Frameworks

Articles and Publications

Essays, op-eds, and academic writing.

OpenAI v. Scarlett Johansson? Georgetown Law Professor Answers Legal Questions on AI-Generated Content

Publisher: 

Georgetown University

OpenAI v. Scarlett Johansson? Georgetown Law Professor Answers Legal Questions on AI-Generated Content

Year: 

2024

An article with the Georgetown University professor Kristelia García analysing legal arguments and implications of a case of OpenAI’s AI-generated voice assistant that sounds like an actress Scarlett Johansson.

Authors: 

Kristelia García

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

AI & Emerging Tech

Legal Frameworks

Articles and Publications

Essays, op-eds, and academic writing.

Munich hears first ever case over licences for generative AI in GEMA vs OpenAI

Publisher: 

Juve Patent

Munich hears first ever case over licences for generative AI in GEMA vs OpenAI

Year: 

2025

Article concerns the first lawsuit worldwide against an AI provider for the unlicensed use of protected musical works. Munich Regional Court is hearing the case filed by collecting society GEMA against OpenAI. The question of whether the ChatGPT provider is unlawfully using artists' data is not just about copyrights, but also about the technology used to train the AI.

Authors: 

Mathieu Klos

Source Links: 

Original Source

Topics: 

AI & Emerging Tech

Legal Frameworks

Articles and Publications

Essays, op-eds, and academic writing.

Arte e Constituzione : gli articoli 9 et 33

Arte e Constituzione : gli articoli 9 et 33

Year: 

2022 – Ongoing

Analysis of articles in the Italian Constitution that protect artistic freedom.

Authors: 

Gianluca Carchia

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Articles and Publications

Essays, op-eds, and academic writing.

Libertà religiosa e libertà di espressione artistica: evoluzioni e prospettive al tempo della de-materializzazione

Publisher: 

Ujiversity of Bicocca : Law and Pluralism web pages

Libertà religiosa e libertà di espressione artistica: evoluzioni e prospettive al tempo della de-materializzazione

Year: 

2021 – 2022

Questions around contemporary application of the Italian laws protecting religion and artistic freedom.

Authors: 

Alessandro Negri

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Articles and Publications

Essays, op-eds, and academic writing.

Guides and toolkits

Practical resources offering methods, advice, and tools.

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Freedom of Artistic Creation: a Guide for Professionals

Publisher: 

French Ministry of Culture

Freedom of Artistic Creation: a Guide for Professionals

Year: 

2025

A guide for arts sector professionals politicians and lawyers to better understand legal frameworks for artidtic freedom in France

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Institutional Resilience

Legal Frameworks

Policy & Governance

Guides and toolkits

Practical resources offering methods, advice, and tools.

La liberté d’expression artistique et l’artiste subversif

Publisher: 

Village de la Justice

La liberté d’expression artistique et l’artiste subversif

Year: 

2023

A lawyer explains the right to artistic freedom and the role of the subversive artist.

Authors: 

Dalila Madjid

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Art under Pressure

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Guides and toolkits

Practical resources offering methods, advice, and tools.

Liberté d’expression artistique

Publisher: 

Guide sur les droits de l'homme

Liberté d’expression artistique
Guide to the human right of freedom of artistic expression

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Guides and toolkits

Practical resources offering methods, advice, and tools.

Silenced, Not Stopped: A Toolkit for Resisting Censorship

Publisher: 

AICA - International Association of Arts Critics

Silenced, Not Stopped: A Toolkit for Resisting Censorship

Year: 

2025

Freedom of artistic expression is essential for cultural vitality and human rights. However, artists, curators, critics, and institutions often face censorship and restrictions. In response, AICA has created the "Silenced, Not Stopped" toolkit written by Eric Otto Wear. This practical guide provides strategies to anticipate and respond to censorship, build alliances, utilize legal resources, and protect digital security. It emphasizes proactive planning, negotiation, and community collaboration to sustain artistic freedom.

Authors: 

Eric Otto Wear

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Censorship & Repression

Emergency Resources

Protective Networks

Guides and toolkits

Practical resources offering methods, advice, and tools.

‘LGBTQIA+ inclusion in European museums: An incomplete guideline

Publisher: 

NEMO - Network of European Museum Organisations

‘LGBTQIA+ inclusion in European museums: An incomplete guideline

Year: 

2024

NEMO’s guideline, authored by Arent Boon, addresses the critical issue of ensuring that all communities feel welcome in the museum, both as visitors and staff, by implementing LGBTQIA+ inclusive policies. Museums can play a unique role in fostering social cohesion. challenging stereotypes, and celebrating diversity. By advancing inclusion and ensuring welcoming spaces for one community, museums take a step towards enhancing inclusivity for all communities.

Authors: 

Arent Boon

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Inclusion & Diversity

Social Cohesion

Guides and toolkits

Practical resources offering methods, advice, and tools.

Initiatives and Related Websites

Networks, projects, hubs and external platforms.

1 2 3 »
Programme of the France/Quebec research initiative on freedom of artistic expression

Publisher: 

COLIBEX

Programme of the France/Quebec research initiative on freedom of artistic expression

Year: 

2024

Shared academic research and training programme France/Quebec on artistic freedom with Chair at Sorbonne University.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Legal Frameworks

Monitoring & Data

Policy & Governance

Initiatives and Related Websites

Networks, projects, hubs and external platforms.

l’Observatoire de la liberté de création

Publisher: 

Ligue de droits de l'homme

l’Observatoire de la liberté de création
Web page of the Observatory of Freedom of Artistic Creation - links to actions, manifestoes, etc.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Censorship & Repression

Protective Networks

Initiatives and Related Websites

Networks, projects, hubs and external platforms.

Don’t Delete Art

Publisher: 

Don't Delete Art

Don’t Delete Art
Don’t Delete Art (DDA) advocates for inclusive digital spaces by protecting diverse artistic expression online. It urges platforms to involve artists in fair moderation practices and uses its gallery to spotlight censored voices, promoting awareness and education about online censorship.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Censorship & Repression

Digital Challenges

Initiatives and Related Websites

Networks, projects, hubs and external platforms.

Academic Freedom Index 2025

Publisher: 

Academic Freedom Institute

FAU Friedrich Alexander Universitäy

V-Dem Institute

Academic Freedom Index 2025

Year: 

2024

An interactive map that provides a comprehensive overview of academic freedom in 179 countries and territories in 2024. Based on assessment of the de facto protection of academic freedom as of December 2024, users can compare countries and investigate developments within countries over time.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Monitoring & Data

Policy Impact & Evaluation

Initiatives and Related Websites

Networks, projects, hubs and external platforms.

Create to Be Free 2024 presentation

Publisher: 

Council of Europe

Create to Be Free 2024 presentation

Year: 

2024

Council of Europe’s ongoing review of artistic freedom protections, November 2024

Authors: 

Katalin Krasznahorkai

Olivia Solis

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Initiatives and Related Websites

Networks, projects, hubs and external platforms.

Manifestoes and Statements

Declarations and collective statements by artists, organisations, or movements

1 2 … 4 »
La liberté de création – en route vers une meilleure protection?

Publisher: 

l'Observatoire de la liberté de création

Scène Ensemble

La liberté de création – en route vers une meilleure protection?

Year: 

2024

Evaluation of the 2016 French law (LCAP) on Creation with regard to the following government Action Plan of December 2024.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Legal Frameworks

Policy Impact & Evaluation

Manifestoes and Statements

Declarations and collective statements by artists, organisations, or movements

The Bratislava Declaration

Publisher: 

Open Culture Conference

The Bratislava Declaration

Year: 

2025

This Declaration, issued at the Open Culture! Conference in Bratislava (May 29–30, 2025), responds to the urgent threat to artistic freedom in the EU. It calls for strong legal protections against government interference in culture and the arts. Reflecting the experiences of artists and cultural workers, it warns that rising authoritarianism, censorship, and attacks on cultural freedoms undermine human rights and threaten the fabric of democratic societies.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Legal Frameworks

Manifestoes and Statements

Declarations and collective statements by artists, organisations, or movements

NEMO Statement: Museums under Pressure

Publisher: 

NEMO - Network of European Museum Organisations

NEMO Statement: Museums under Pressure

Year: 

2024

The NEMO Executive Board issued a statement addressing the increasing challenges museums face due to political interference and societal polarisation. Published on 20 November 2024, the statement underscores that political pressure, both direct and indirect, can lead museums to self-censor their programming and communication. It also reaffirms NEMO's commitment to uphold the integrity, independence, and resilience of museums across Europe.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Institutional Resilience

Manifestoes and Statements

Declarations and collective statements by artists, organisations, or movements

Manifesto on the Freedom of Expression of Art and Culture in the Digital Era

Publisher: 

Council of Europe

Manifesto on the Freedom of Expression of Art and Culture in the Digital Era

Year: 

2020

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Manifestoes and Statements

Declarations and collective statements by artists, organisations, or movements

Resistance Now: Free Culture

Publisher: 

European Theatre Convention

Resistance Now: Free Culture

Year: 

2024

European Theatre Convention’s collective action gathering 180+ major cultural networks and institutions call for European Culture Freedom Act.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Protective Networks

Manifestoes and Statements

Declarations and collective statements by artists, organisations, or movements

Reports

Research, analyses, documentation, case studies, and monitoring reports.

1 2 … 8 »
UNESCO global report on cultural policies, Culture : the missing SDG – Protecting artists and culture at risk: bolstering resilience, peace and security

Publisher: 

UNESCO

UNESCO global report on cultural policies, Culture : the missing SDG – Protecting artists and culture at risk: bolstering resilience, peace and security

Year: 

2025

UNESCO launched its 2025 Global Report on Cultural Policies at MONDIACULT 2025 in Barcelona on 29 September. The report highlights artistic freedom under “Guaranteeing Cultural Rights,” addressing participation in cultural life, expression, and access to heritage. It also stresses freedom of expression in the digital sphere and the protection of artists and cultural professionals at risk.

Authors: 

Patty Gerstenblith

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Art under Pressure

Censorship & Repression

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Reports

Research, analyses, documentation, case studies, and monitoring reports.

UNESCO Special Rapporteur Cultural Rights report on AI

Publisher: 

UN

UNESCO Special Rapporteur Cultural Rights report on AI

Year: 

2025

The 30 July 2025 UN report Artificial intelligence and creativity by Special Rapporteur Alexandra Xanthaki urges a cultural-rights approach to AI. She stresses safeguarding creators’ autonomy, diversity, and minority voices, warning against homogenisation and centralised algorithmic control. States should ensure AI enhances creativity within open, pluralistic cultural ecosystems rather than constraining artistic expression.

Authors: 

Alexandra Xanthaki

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

AI & Emerging Tech

Digital Challenges

Reports

Research, analyses, documentation, case studies, and monitoring reports.

Limiting the Use of Criminal Law to Restrict Freedom of Expression: A Guide to Council of Europe Standards

Publisher: 

Council of Europe

Limiting the Use of Criminal Law to Restrict Freedom of Expression: A Guide to Council of Europe Standards

Year: 

2025

The document is a guidance from the Council of Europe aimed at curbing misuse of criminal law to limit freedom of expression. It reviews European Court of Human Rights case‐law, flags rising detention of journalists since 2019, and stresses that only serious harms—like incitement to violence or hate speech—may justify criminal sanctions. It urges member states to require that restrictions be necessary, proportionate and in line with human rights standards

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Censorship & Repression

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Reports

Research, analyses, documentation, case studies, and monitoring reports.

Towards a Systemic Shift: Setting Standards for the Protection of Artists At RiskOn-the-Move.org

Publisher: 

On the Move

Towards a Systemic Shift: Setting Standards for the Protection of Artists At RiskOn-the-Move.org

Year: 

2025

Discusses the need for a UN international normative framework for the protection of artists in emergencies. this is Chapter 11 of a three-part reserch study on at-risk and displaced artists

Authors: 

Yamam Al Zubaidi

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Policy Impact & Evaluation

Reports

Research, analyses, documentation, case studies, and monitoring reports.

Dossier for MONDIACULT 2025 – Charting the future: culture as our compass

Publisher: 

IFACCA

Dossier for MONDIACULT 2025 – Charting the future: culture as our compass

Year: 

2025

In its Mondiacult 2025 dossier, IFACCA warns that artistic freedom underpins cultural life but faces threats from censorship, weak legal protections, economic precarity, digital monopolies, and neglect of Indigenous cultures. It calls for policies that safeguard creators’ rights and the ecosystems sustaining them—fair work, public support, and digital regulation—arguing that embedding artistic freedom legally, economically, and culturally is vital for pluralism, innovation, and participatory culture.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Reports

Research, analyses, documentation, case studies, and monitoring reports.

Talks

Speeches, keynotes, panel discussions, and recorded conversations.

The Artist as Defender of Human Rights

Publisher: 

Council of Europe

The Artist as Defender of Human Rights

Year: 

2024

Keynote speech highlighting art and artists' importance in upholding human rights.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Talks

Speeches, keynotes, panel discussions, and recorded conversations.

¿Cómo la radicalización política pone en peligro la libertad artística en Europa?

Publisher: 

European Alliance of Academies

¿Cómo la radicalización política pone en peligro la libertad artística en Europa?

Year: 

2022

A public discussion among Wolfgang Kaleck, Dominika Kasprowicz, Antonio Munoz Molina, Aleš Šteger in the framework of the annual conference of the European Alliance of Academies, held on 2 December 2021 in Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid.

Authors: 

Aleš Šteger

Antonio Munoz Molina

Dominika Kasprowicz

Wolfgang Kaleck

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Censorship & Repression

Radicalization & Extremism

Talks

Speeches, keynotes, panel discussions, and recorded conversations.

How does political radicalization threaten artistic freedom in Europe?

Publisher: 

European Alliance of Academies

How does political radicalization threaten artistic freedom in Europe?

Year: 

2021

This speech by Slovenian writer Aleš Šteger was held at the annual conference of the European Alliance of Academies, "The Power of Art", 2 December 2021 at Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid.

Authors: 

Aleš Šteger

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Policy & Governance

Radicalization & Extremism

Talks

Speeches, keynotes, panel discussions, and recorded conversations.

Das ewig gespaltene und spaltende Spanien

Publisher: 

European Alliance of Academies

Das ewig gespaltene und spaltende Spanien

Year: 

2021

A speech that Ukrainian writer Jurko Prochasko held at the "Power of Art" conference in Madrid, Spain at Círculo de Bellas Artes, December 2021.

Authors: 

Jurko Prochasko

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Advocacy & Campaigning

Social Cohesion

Talks

Speeches, keynotes, panel discussions, and recorded conversations.

Treaties and Conventions

Legal instruments, human rights frameworks, and international agreements.

1 2 »
La liberté artistique, enjeux et perspectives

Publisher: 

Lega Vox

La liberté artistique, enjeux et perspectives

Year: 

2025

Authors: 

Yanis Mouhou

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Treaties and Conventions

Legal instruments, human rights frameworks, and international agreements.

The European Cultural Convention

Publisher: 

Council of Europe

The European Cultural Convention

Year: 

1954

European Treaty, the fundamental cultural common agreement.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Legal Frameworks

Treaties and Conventions

Legal instruments, human rights frameworks, and international agreements.

Artistic Freedom

Publisher: 

UNESCO

Artistic Freedom

Year: 

2018

Pamphlet defining artistic freedom, its monitoring and policy making based on the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Monitoring & Data

Policy Impact & Evaluation

Treaties and Conventions

Legal instruments, human rights frameworks, and international agreements.

UNESCO and the 1980 Recommendation Concerning the Status of the Artist

Publisher: 

UNESCO

UNESCO and the 1980 Recommendation Concerning the Status of the Artist

Year: 

1980

Links and explanations of the 1980 UNESCO Recommendation covering all legal, social and employment aspects of the artistic profession.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Economic Rights

Legal Frameworks

Treaties and Conventions

Legal instruments, human rights frameworks, and international agreements.

United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Publisher: 

UN

United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Year: 

1966

Full text of the UN International Covenant on Civil, Economic and Social Rights including all articles.

Source Links: 

Original Source Archive Link

Topics: 

Cultural Rights & Freedoms

Economic Rights

Legal Frameworks

Treaties and Conventions

Legal instruments, human rights frameworks, and international agreements.