About

The World Summit on Arts and Culture is organised by the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) in partnership with one of its National Members. The Summit is a highly participatory platform that fosters exchange between representatives from government, cultural and non-cultural sectors and civil society, which is open to IFACCA Members and the wider international community. The 9th World Summit is co-hosted by the Swedish Arts Council and IFACCA.

Safeguarding Artistic Freedom

Artistic and cultural expressions create space for us to reflect on ourselves and our societies; to connect with different perspectives; to understand and learn from each other; to test and contest ideas; and ultimately, to inspire us to imagine new paths to individual, collective, and social development. Artistic freedom ensures that these expressions represent the full diversity and dynamism of our cultural ecosystems and societies, through both creation and participation. Such possibility demands that we safeguard the existence of artistic freedom. However, we can only do this if we first recognise the rights and responsibilities it entails; understand the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and cultural conditions that enable it; and identify and address threats to its practice and fulfilment.

The 9th World Summit on Arts and Culture will bring together leading policy makers, researchers, managers and practitioners from the arts, culture and related sectors from around the world to explore artistic freedom as a fundamental pillar of cultural policy and examine how we can – and why we should – safeguard artistic freedom.

The 9th World Summit is co-hosted by the Swedish Arts Council and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies. It is scheduled to take place in Stockholm, Sweden from 31 May-3 June 2022. Currently, the co-hosts plan for the Summit to be held as an in-person programme for delegates from countries worldwide. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the co-hosts will monitor global developments and may adjust these plans, where required. Registration for the 9th World Summit is due to open in late 2021.