Finnish Arts and Culture Agency project examines the state and implementation of freedom of the arts in Finland

Artistic freedom is currently being curtailed in many ways around the world. According to the report The State of Artistic Freedom (Freemuse) published in spring 2026, artistic freedom and the work of artists are increasingly facing restrictions and threats. The background to this is broader political and social changes in the global operating environment.

In recent years, threats to artistic freedom have begun to receive increasing attention also in the cultural policy arena of the Nordic countries and the EU, and the theme has been raised in various studies, reports and initiatives. Widely identified needs include systematic monitoring and reporting on the state of artistic freedom, raising public awareness – and broad-based cooperation. Artistic freedom has also been raised as a key theme in the Culture Compass, the EU’s new strategic framework for cultural policy, as well as in the preparation of the upcoming AgoraEU funding programme.

Actors in Finland too have long carried out significant international work to promote and secure artistic freedom. Some of these actors offer concrete help to artists in challenging situations, others play a central, more strategic role, and still others have an impact at both levels.

Information gathering and strengthening cooperation

The new two-year project of the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency (Kuvi) focuses on the experiences and views of arts and culture professionals on the implementation of freedom of the arts in today's Finland. The theme will be explored, for example, in discussions with stakeholders and by interviewing actors and experts in the field of the arts and artistic freedom. Information on issues related to artistic freedom will also be gathered through an arts and culture barometer survey to be conducted in autumn 2026. The aim is to bring as many diverse voices from the field of the arts and culture to the discussion as possible.

The Kuvi project also aims to strengthen networking and the exchange of information, as well as to participate more actively in both national and international cooperation to promote freedom of the arts. In addition, an event related to the theme that will be open to the public will be organised during 2027, which will be announced later.

Based on the information and situational assessment produced during the project, development recommendations and operating models will be drawn up to promote and strengthen artistic freedom. The project is led by Anu Ahola, Arts Advisor at the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency.

Further information

Anu Ahola, Arts Advisor
[email protected]
+358 29 524 9146