Global aid is decreasing, politicians talk about priorities. But if we are serious about supporting democracy and human rights fighters, we must not forget cultural practitioners.
– Continuing to work for artistic freedom is not a vested interest, but an investment in long-term sustainable and open societies, writes artist and long-time aid worker Niusha Khanmohammadi.
The cuts in aid, both in Sweden and internationally, have already had consequences for the cultural sector. In a time of increased geopolitical tensions, a shrinking democratic space and growing threats to civil society, culture is once again being hit hard – despite its crucial role for democracy, freedom of expression and human rights.
Artistic freedom is not only about the right to create, but also about the right to express oneself without fear of reprisal, intimidation or violence. It is closely linked to free and independent media, a vibrant civil society and society's capacity for critical thinking. Therefore, when resources are withdrawn, it is often precisely these basic functions that are weakened first.
The closure of USAID and the US withdrawal from international cooperation organizations has had extensive consequences for humanitarian aid and civil society, but also for the cultural sector. An example is Artists at Risk Connection, an American international organization that works to support artists in vulnerable situations. After the withdrawal of support, they were forced to wind down large parts of their operations and instead register in Europe. The effects extended far beyond the organization itself and affected the possibilities for continued international cooperation and support for artists who work under threat and in repressive contexts.
This development highlights how rapid, extensive cutbacks and sudden closures can have far-reaching consequences and how vulnerable the ecosystems for artistic freedom are when stable, long-term funding disappears.
Swedish aid cuts now risk having the same kind of far-reaching consequences. When development cooperation with a focus on culture is tightened, it not only affects individual projects, but also the structures that make artistic freedom and freedom of expression possible in practice.
For artists and cultural actors operating in countries where democratic space is limited, reduced support has direct consequences for people's ability to exercise their rights. In contexts where threats, censorship and repressive structures already set the framework, the pressure to legitimize one's existence towards funders increases, rather than pursuing one's artistic activity.
Many actors I have spoken to at the same time testify to a growing fatigue. More and more time and energy are being spent on formulating themselves in terms of “benefit” and “return”, instead of on content, development and audience. The shift from creation to survival is happening gradually, but the consequences risk being far-reaching: reduced room for action, increased self-censorship and, in the long run, a weakening of the voices that uphold freedom of expression and other fundamental human rights.
Issues of gender equality, youth organizing, independent media, and LGBTQI rights are often closely intertwined with artistic practice. As international support decreases, the risk of self-censorship, invisibility, and artists being left without a safety net increases.
At the same time, it is important to make the support that actually exists visible. Sida currently supports cultural assistance through collaborations with the Swedish Arts Council and the Swedish National Arts Council, through programs such as ArtNexus and the Program for Artistic Freedom. These initiatives strengthen the rights of artists and provide support to actors operating under threat and hatred.
In a time of diminishing global resources, this type of long-term, value-based work needs not only to be protected but also strengthened. Sweden has an important role to play here, not least through its long-standing involvement in international contexts such as UNESCO, where issues of cultural rights and artistic freedom continue to need to be defended and developed.
Sweden has long had a clear international role in safeguarding these values. In a situation where aid funds are decreasing, it is therefore particularly important to protect those parts of development cooperation that strengthen artists' rights and provide support to those who work under threat and hatred. Continuing to work for artistic freedom is not a vested interest, but an investment in long-term sustainable and open societies.
It's not just about resources, it's about direction. In a changing aid landscape, perseverance, collaboration and shared responsibility are required to ensure that artists are not left alone when space shrinks.
When support decreases, it is not just activities that are affected: but the very conditions for a vibrant public conversation. Protecting culture and artistic freedom is therefore ultimately protecting the oxygen of democracy. Without it, silence spreads. Not suddenly, but step by step.
Watch FUF's talk about the role of culture for democracy and human rights
This is a debate article. The author is responsible for analysis and opinions in the text.
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