The Salzburg Statement on Supporting Artists on the Front Line

From March 25 to 30, 2023, Salzburg Global Seminar hosted On the Front Lines: Artists at Risk, Artists Who Risk.

Through the lenses of around 50 artists and allies from over 40 countries, this program explored the intersection of contemporary art, activism, politics, law, research, technology, ethics and organizing. The program was a space where artists were central, and where debate, introspection, and exchange attempted to bridge a diversity of perspectives, create new ideas and build commitment to strategies for action.

After the program, Fellows came together and wrote a set of reflections, meant for various stakeholders, from policymakers, evaluators and funders, to human rights organizations, and art institutions. With these reflections, Fellows produced a call for action, targeted towards policymakers, funders and international, national, and regional stakeholder organizations and networks, to support artists on the front line and protect freedom of expression.