Why Europe Needs a European Artistic Freedom Act

Pearle* joined a coalition of cultural institutions, legal experts, networks, and activists to call on the European Commission to initiate the process of establishing a European Artistic Freedom Act. This Act would transform artistic freedom from a principle into a practical, enforceable right, securing an environment in which artists and cultural workers can operate without fear of censorship or retaliation and contribute to a democratic, diverse, and resilient Europe. In an era of polarisation, disinformation, and closing civic space, Europe must act decisively to uphold its core values. Protecting artistic freedom is not only a cultural imperative; it is a democratic necessity.

Read the declaration

Collaborating organisations:

• Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI)
• ARC Research and Consultancy (ARC)
• Culture Action Europe (CAE)
• European Theatre Convention (ETC)
• Freemuse
• Open Culture Platform (OCP)
• Opera Europa
• Pearle* Live Performance Europe
• Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) | Free Republic of Vienna