Episode 8 - Freedom of expression in the arts?

An Arts Professional survey report published in 2020 showed that eight out of 10 people working in the arts agreed that if you speak out against the orthodoxy in many arts institutions you risk ostracisation. This is a shocking state of affairs given that the life blood of the arts is freedom of expression. 

Our guests in this episode are Rosie Kay and Denise Fahmy. They set up the campaign, Freedom in the Arts, after they discovered through bitter experience that a value that is supposed to be at the very centre of the arts’ existence is surprisingly undervalued in the arts world.

They tell us about how their careers in the arts were badly affected by hostility and betrayal from previously trusted colleagues after they expressed views that challenged dominant orthodoxies in the arts world. and why they set up their campaign.

To find out about their stories, their campaign and take their new survey, listen to this podcast and then go to www.freedominthearts.com

Denise and Rosie are also interviewed in today's Times newspaper about their campaign and the launch of their survey in this fascinating interview.

Thank you for listening and subscribing. Please help us grow by sharing our podcast and our substack, and if you would like to be part of Arts First in any way or have ideas for an episode please email [email protected] or message us here.

Arts First links to podcast platforms

Watch on our YouTube channel