Defending Artistic Freedom: An Action Guide

The current wave of censorship targeting books, arts, and cultural works represents an unprecedented threat to First Amendment rights, Book removals from school and public libraries have surged dramatically. The American Library Association reported over 4,200 book challenges in 2024, targeting works like "The Hate U Give," "Gender Queer," and "The Bluest Eye." States like Florida and Texas have seen hundreds of titles removed or restricted.

Theater productions have faced pressure - some venues canceled or modified productions dealing with LGBTQ+ themes or racial justice. Museums have encountered pressure over exhibitions addressing slavery, indigenous history, or contemporary social issues.

Educational restrictions have expanded beyond K-12 into universities, with some states limiting diversity programs, faculty hiring practices, and course content around race and gender studies.

Take Action

Preserving First Amendment freedoms requires that we remain vigilant, actively practice these rights, and consistently affirm their importance in our democracy. F.A.C.T. asks you to join us in sharing a simple First Amendment Acknowledgment you can read aloud or display at the start of any public event, gathering, or program - virtual or in-person. Modify the text as you wish. It’s a reminder that our freedom of expression is protected and worth defending. Also, please print and share our materials. You’ll also find a Digital Outreach Toolkit with shareable content, sample language, and ideas for using these materials in your workflows.

Individual Artists:

Educate Yourself and Understand Your Rights – visit the Artists Rights website, a collaboration between the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and the Center for Democracy and Technology. Have a question? Submit it here.

Legal and Financial Preparedness – build your defense infrastructure before you need it. An amazing resource list has been put together by NCAC. Contact the Artistic Freedom Initiative for legal guidance and pro bono representation. This organization is especially useful to immigrants, refugees, and undocumented cultural workers living in the USA.

Document Your Work – document all of your work and any threats or censorship attempts with dates and details. Keep this information accessible on a password-protected cloud drive. The act of documentation itself is protected speech, and creating records of censorship attempts strengthens democratic institutions. The risk of not documenting often outweighs the privacy concerns. Courts often rely heavily on documented evidence showing patterns, timelines, and specific incidents. This documentation could support First Amendment litigation, civil rights claims, or even criminal cases if threats escalate.

Apply proactively to emergency funding programs like Artist Relief ($5,000 grants), CERF+ ($3,000 emergency grants), and the Foundation for Contemporary Arts ($500-3,000 monthly grants).

Network Building and Coalition Participation – join professional associations and advocacy organizations in your field. Participate in Americans for the Arts advocacy campaigns and become an Arts Advocacy Captain in your state. Connect with Artists at Risk Connection for international support networks. Build relationships with local civil liberties organizations, libraries, and educational institutions before controversies arise.

Platform Diversification – protect your work from digital censorship by maintaining a presence on multiple platforms. Don't Delete Art provides a virtual gallery for censored works. Understand each platform's content policies and appeal processes. Keep independent documentation of your work outside of social media platforms.

Arts Organizations:

Policy Development and Crisis Preparedness – adopt comprehensive freedom of speech policies using NCAC's Museum Best Practices templates. Develop written crisis management protocols with designated response teams, legal counsel consultation procedures, and community engagement frameworks. 90% of museums lack censorship policies, making those with clear policies significantly better positioned to resist pressure.

Staff Training and Board Education – implement regular professional development on First Amendment rights and censorship response. Train board members on institutional mission and artistic freedom principles. Create educational programming that proactively addresses controversial content rather than avoiding it. See this example.

Community Engagement Before Controversy – build diverse relationships with stakeholders, including educators, business leaders, religious communities, and civic organizations. Host public forums and educational events that frame artistic freedom within broader community values. Develop "ladder of engagement" strategies that provide multiple entry points for supporter participation.

Advocate for First Amendment Rights – using toolkits developed by Americans for the Arts. Connect with the ongoing work of NCAC’s Arts & Culture Advocacy Program (ACAP).

Educational Institutions:

Institutional Policy and Faculty Support – establish transparent procedures for handling complaints about arts programming using National Art Education Association guidelines. Assert educational exemptions for artistic content and partner with local arts organizations for additional support. Create faculty coalitions across institutions, as coordinated responses have proven more effective than isolated resistance.

Student Empowerment and Engagement – students carry particular weight in censorship debates. Support student-led organizations like diversity awareness groups and provide resources for student advocates. Student voices were decisive in successful cases like Central York School District's reversal of 300 book bans.

Legal Preparedness – understand and assert educational exemptions for artistic content. Build relationships with civil liberties organizations such as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and identify potential legal counsel. Document all censorship attempts and join coordinated legal challenges when appropriate.

Additional Resources and Tools

Legal Support Networks

Artist Rights (NCAC): Legal guidance and direct consultation

Artistic Freedom Initiative: Pro bono legal representation and visa assistance

ACLU Arts & Entertainment: Strategic litigation and celebrity partnerships

PEN America Freedom to Learn: Higher education censorship response

Policy and Advocacy Tools

Americans for the Arts VoterVoice: Customizable advocacy letters and campaigns

UNESCO Re|shaping Policies Framework: International monitoring tools

Banned Books Week Coalition: Annual awareness campaigns

Safe Haven and Relocation Support

Artists at Risk Network: 26 residencies across 19 countries

NYC Artist Safe Haven: Housing, legal aid, and professional development

International Cities of Refuge Network: 60+ cities providing sanctuary

Safemuse Norway: Confidential residency programs