Status of the Artist and Artistic Freedom

Discussion panel aiming at revitalising efforts to improve the status of artist and freedom of expression.
Denmark, Norway and Sweden together with UNESCO’s Secretariat will organize a discussion panel with high level experts on efforts to improve the status of the artist and artistic freedom, which are grounded in two of UNESCO’s normative instruments: the 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist; and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Member States report with regular intervals for both instruments on their implementation, and focus on the status of the artist and artistic freedom has increased during recent years. Furthermore the synergies between the two instruments are being actively developed.

This year a report on the implementation of the 1980 Recommendation will be presented at the 38th session of the General Conference. While the Recommendation covers a wide range of issues that affect the social and economic status of the artist, this report focuses on significant contemporary issues such as artistic freedom, digital technologies and the Internet, mobility of artists and social protection. Moreover, UNESCO’s new global report to monitor the implementation of the 2005 Convention will include a specific chapter on artistic freedom, and will be launched on 16 December 2015.

Why a side-event?

In order to raise awareness about the topic at the global level, this side-event is an opportunity to discuss the findings of UNESCO’s reports with a particular focus on artistic freedom. Culture experts participating in the General Conference, together with independent experts and artists, are invited to participate in an inter-active debate on trends and challenges identified. The discussion is expected to provide inspiration for future strategic action and priorities of relevant stakeholders in this field.

Key questions to be discussed

• Is the freedom of artistic expression understood and protected as part of the broader system of fundamental rightst?

• How to monitor artistic freedom as part of UNESCO's periodic reporting system of the 1980 Recommendation and 2005 Convention?

View the webcast live transmission 13 November from 2 p.m to 3 p.m (GMT +1)