International forum for artistic freedom of expression

Kulturredaksjonen comprising the staff of the Director of Culture and Citizen Dialogue in Kristiansand Municipality, works to create space for dialogue and deliver good, relevant and challenging conversations around culture and democracy. This year, Kulturredaksjonen is collaborating with Freemuse, Agder County and the University of Agder on the International Forum for Artistic Freedom of Expression. The purpose of this forum is to create a meeting place for artists, cultural workers and "artistic defenders" where they can strengthen their knowledge, their networks and their awareness of artistic freedom of expression as a fundamental democratic value.

Workshop artistic freedom of expression
During the forum there will be a workshop on 3 to 4 May led by the Director of Freemuse, Sverre Pedersen, and its Research Director, Sara Whyatt and other Freemuse staff. 20 Norwegian and European artists and human rights defenders have been invited to attend. The aim of the forum and workshop is to strengthen artists and human rights defenders’ awareness of their rights and why free art is so important for democracy, as well as to gain a platform and a network to strengthen their role as social actors. By including both local and international voices, the project contributes to a broad inclusive public conversation about artistic freedom.