Conference
MuseumsQuartier
2026
Vienna
Collaboration:
Federal Ministry
of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS),
DIALOGBÜRO Vienna,
Artmov Association
www.artmov.at
MuseumsQuartier Vienna
16 November
17 November
Oval Hall
Baroque Suites
Language: English
International Conference Fostering Free Arts
Strategies for Collaborations with Independent Artists in Politically Isolated Countries
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Description:
The conference provides an international platform for the exchange of ideas, strategies, and experiences among organizations and initiatives that focus on establishing contact with and supporting independent artists from countries where censorship and control of electronic communication channels prevail. In most cases, the risk of repression against artists goes hand in hand with a decline in international dialogue-based exchange and artistic mobility projects, as well as increasing travel restrictions. This leads to alienation, ignorance, and a dwindling of personal contacts, which in turn plays into the hands of stereotypes and political propaganda. In contrast, initiatives by individuals, associations, and institutions—which consider it important to facilitate intellectual and artistic exchange between independent artists and intellectuals, based on civil society engagement, while remaining above all political conflicts and ideological divides—are working to counter this trend.
Arrival Day:
Arrival of guests and informal welcome reception to meet the conference speakers, the teams from the organizing partners, and the funding agency: the Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS). Format: Invitation by the Artmov Association at its headquarters.
Day 1 – 16 November:
Start at 2:00 PM
Short presentation of the participating initiatives and self-introductions by all participants
Panel Discussion 1:
Successful integrative cultural work with artistic exile communities
Panel Discussion 2:
Strategies for strengthening vulnerable individual artists and communities in their home countries
Keynote – In the evening around 6:30 PM
Followed by dinner for participants and teams
Day 2 – 17 November (closed session):
Application of the Chatham House Rule, to be announced in the program:
“All participants are asked to adhere to the Chatham House Rule. This means that participants are free to use the information received during the session, but may not disclose the identity or affiliation of the speaker(s) or of other participants.
By participating in this conference, you agree to respect these principles and to contribute to an open and constructive exchange in a confidential setting.”
Panel Discussion 1: (closed session)
Workshops in small groups on the individual topics (listed below)
Coffee break
Panel Discussion 2:
Presentation by the individual working groups
End of the event: 1:00 PM
Closing session titled: “What’s Next?”
Each working group (6 groups in total) will have a secretary who agrees to summarize the results of the workshops in writing.
All documents will be compiled by the conference organizer into a final report, which may be published on the websites/communication channels of MuseumsQuartier, Artmov, and BMWKMS.
Conference Topics:
The reasons for staying and why it is important to maintain contact with those who remain: On one side of conflict zones, there are often those who wonder why anyone would choose to stay on the other side at all. The reasons for deciding to stay can be varied. To set the stage, we will explore the convictions and reasons for choosing not to emigrate and instead continuing to work in one’s own countries and communities. And from a perspective of universal thinking—and particularly an international understanding of art and culture—one can only strive to engage with people, especially where they live and work.
How can artists who live in countries where they must fear their government because of their artistic practice, yet still choose to stay, be supported and communicated with? – perhaps the right question is: What is needed? Artist-in-residence programs, local contacts, cultural centers, and libraries. What can be done? What points of contact and forums for dialogue can be created?
A field of tension: respect for those with differing views and alternative perspectives on cultural policy versus the defense of the fundamental principle of artistic freedom and active solidarity with artists who become targets of political persecution because of their artistic work. (This may raise questions about the effectiveness of international organizations.)
Artists in exile as bridges to local art scenes – strengthening artists to become part of their new communities, at the same time staying to be points of contact for intellectual exchange, advice and assistance, source of information regarding artistic practices and cultural life abroad.
Measures to prevent endangering those receiving support—such as how communication with Western art institutions and initiatives, and their support, can become a threat to those who are actually supposed to be supported. Experiences and best practices.
Coordination and collaboration among similar programs within the EU and internationally—how can coordination or collaboration look in practice, and where does it make concrete sense? (Keywords: Comparison and alignment of legal regulations and practices across different EU countries, for example regarding residence permits; coordination and division of labor in crisis situations; joint risk analyses regarding persecuted artists; intra-European “transfer” of grant recipients).
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