Democracy and human rights are under growing pressure worldwide, and culture is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of democratic resilience. But what does this mean in practice for artists and cultural organisations today? What threats do they face, how can artistic freedom be meaningfully defined and protected, and which cultural rights risk being overlooked? How can policymakers translate ambitious declarations into concrete measures for a sector already strained by both long-standing and emerging pressures? Drawing on a Europe-wide survey - with some global perspectives, network workshops, and desk research, this new PAC report examines how performing arts professionals experience artistic freedom, cultural participation, and cultural rights today, offering grounded insights and policy recommendations to inspire meaningful action in Europe and beyond. 

https://www.ietm.org/en/resources/reports/between-rhetoric-and-reality-cultural-rights-artistic-freedom-and-democratic