Reclaim Artistic Freedom

In Germany and many other countries alike, there’s now a clear impression that debates around artistic freedom, on the hand, and the critique of antisemitism, on the other, are irreconcilably opposed. In Germany, over the years, this is largely due to the many successes of the antisemitic BDS movement in the cultural sector, as well as due to the so-called ‘Initiative GG 5.3 Weltoffenheit‘ and the 15th edition of the documenta art show in Kassel in 2022. While cultural representatives and artists speak of artistic freedom, NGOs experienced in the field, just like scholars and journalists critical of antisemitism attempt to address antisemitism. It is striking that Jewish artists and practitioners critical of antisemitism rarely have a voice in these discussions.

The Institute’s project Reclaim Artistic Freedom. Critique of antisemitism, arts and culture.

addresses antisemitism in the arts and culture from the points of view of Jewish artists and allies who share the critique of antisemitism. Its work is guided by the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Reclaim Artistic Freedom addresses the situation of Jewish artists in the cultural sector, develops policy proposals and builds political, civil-society and artistic strategies to combat antisemitism in the arts and culture. The focus is on the needs of artists affected by antisemitism. The project’s work consists of academic, political, and artistic contributions.

Due to the formation of a new federal government in Germany, and the concurrent lack of a reliable federal budget the project’s activities are currently paused and will be taken up again later on in 2025.