« L’art, c’is freedom. S’he is attacked, this’is not only the freedom of’artist who is at stake but ours, that of all French women and all French men. L’art is a democratic tool, which allows us to think and emancipate ourselves. Prevent’access to a show, an exhibition, a work,’is endangering our model of society and our democracy “, declared the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.
In fact, noting a “ rise in cases of’attacks on freedom of artistic creation » recently (the examples given are the “ prevention of public access to works “, of the ” threats and cyberharassment ”, or even “ deprogramming ), the Ministry of Culture has developed a plan to strengthen this freedom “ essential “. It will be implemented in 2025.
The plan is built in three axes. The first step is to identify these “ affected “. For this, three measures are announced: the appointment to the ministry of a senior official responsible for “ d’support cultural actors facing difficulties and coordinate political actions in favor of freedom of creation and dissemination », Referents will be placed in each Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) and a “ coordinating committee of French cultural structures supporting artists in exile » will be created.
In order to better inform professionals and artists, the Ministry of Culture will publish in the spring a “ legal and practical guide » accompaniment. Training will be set up with Afdas (Training Insurance for Entertainment Activities) and a multi-year agreement will be organized with the Observatory for Freedom of Creation.
-Finally, the ministry wishes “ strengthen interministerial and territorial dialogue ” on this subject, and therefore plans to organize an awareness campaign at the administrative level, as well as a ” active sleep » with communities and associations representing elected officials. To complete these measures, a “ clause on freedom of artistic creation and dissemination » will be integrated into ministry contracts.
