Advocacy
AFI advocates for stronger protections for artistic freedom, artists’ rights, and cultural expression worldwide.
Advocacy work
Research into action
Artistic Freedom Initiative’s advocacy work turns research into action. Grounded in international human rights law and informed by the lived experiences of artists, AFI advocates for stronger protections for artistic freedom, artists’ rights, and cultural expression worldwide. Our work focuses on addressing the policies and systems that enable artistic repression, while advancing practical solutions that allow artists to create freely and safely.
AFI engages directly with international and regional human rights mechanisms to ensure that artistic freedom is recognized as a core component of freedom of expression and cultural rights. We contribute research, policy analysis, and recommendations to key global forums, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review, UN Special Procedures, UNESCO, and European Union human rights mechanisms. Through submissions, statements, and formal interventions, AFI brings artists’ experiences into policy spaces where they have too often been overlooked.
Public engagement is central to AFI’s advocacy strategy. We convene and participate in panels, briefings, and public events to share research findings, elevate affected voices, and foster dialogue among artists, experts, and decision-makers. These events help contextualize data, surface emerging trends, and build momentum for policy reform—translating complex research into accessible, action-oriented conversations.
Support AFI’s Work
As censorship rises and artists are targeted for speaking truth to power, protecting creative voices has never been more urgent. Since 2017, AFI has supported over 2,000 courageous artists who continue making art even when it places them at risk. Your contribution ensures artists can keep creating, sharing, and inspiring change—protecting both their voices and the right to artistic freedom worldwide.