Pearle contributes to the discussions, debates, and reflections on cultural policy and Europe’s added value in various groups, committees, studies, conferences and meetings facilitated by the European Institutions or other stakeholders.

Given the wide range and diversity of its membership, Pearle* takes an interest in various initiatives of European cultural policy, such as :

• Better recognition and support for the immaterial heritage of music and performing arts through participation in the dedicated expert group on cultural heritage.
• Contribution to Music Moves Europe stakeholder dialogue
• Cooperation with other European performing arts networks in Creative Europe funded initiatives

The existence of a dedicated European funding programme for culture, the “Creative Europe” programme, is by its very existence an expression of the recognition of culture as included in the Treaty. Regrettably, the budget by no means meets the expectations of the cultural sector in Europe, nor will it be the case with the proposed budget increase for the future AgoraEU programme.

Artistic freedom, autonomy, and freedom of creation are fundamental to a thriving cultural landscape and democratic society. In 2024, several events across Europe signalled a worrying trend of increasing restrictions on these essential values. In response, Pearle* took steps to document, address, and advocate against these infringements. That same year, Pearle* and EFA published a new edition of the Ultimate Cookbooks for Cultural Managers on “The Artistic Freedom Regulatory Framework in the EU”.

Pearle* is part of an advocacy group, "Resistance Now Together", which explores the creation of a European Artistic Freedom Act, modelled on the existing European Media Freedom Act. Pearle* also advocates for the inclusion of artistic freedom in the yearly Rule of Law reports published by the European Commission. Find out more about our activities on this topic.