We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Art of Defending Artists 3.0, an advanced capacity-building programme aimed at empowering individuals and organisations to better protect art and artists from arbitrary censorship and violations of cultural rights. This comprehensive course, running online from April 28 to June 4, 2025, will offer an in-depth exploration of the legal frameworks surrounding artistic freedom.
Delivered in three modules by leading law and art experts, the course will provide participants with a practical insight into the procedural specificities of the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations. The Art* module will centre the most topical issues affecting creators, such as online regulation and questions of authorship and ownership regarding AI.
Why Do we need this course?
Artists amplify concerns of public interest, challenge prevailing social and cultural norms and spark dialogue and debate, essential in a free and open society. Worldwide, artists are encountering escalating restrictions on their rights and civil liberties and are frequently subjected to censorship, intimidation, harassment, and legal action. The impact of censorship on artists can also have a chilling effect on the wider society, limiting free expression and undermining democratic values.
Our focus on the European Court of Human Rights is informed by our analysis of casework in recent years. In Europe, freedom of artistic expression and cultural autonomy are increasingly under pressure from political parties and anti-democratic movements. Our casework numbers show that 14% of the total requests for assistance over the last five years came from artists in Europe. Despite the growing number of violations, there is a lack of legal and advocacy expertise among European cultural networks, institutions and civil society organisations. The lack of capacity is also evidenced by the limited body of case law of the European Court on artistic freedom. In order to ensure that strategic legal interventions are robust and effective, there is a need for a specialised and trained community of practitioners across Europe.
Responding to this notable absence of training programmes in the domain of artistic freedom, we conceptualised The Art* of Defending Artists to provide stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to navigate legal frameworks and the procedural specificities of international mechanisms. The course draws from our extensive experience in the field and our track record of providing effective legal assistance to artists across the world.
Course Structure and thematic focus
The programme is structured around three modules, each designed to provide practical insights from leading experts in the field:
1. The European Court of Human Rights
This module will cover essential practical information on approaching the Court, including admissibility requirements and key case law related to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
2. The United Nations
Learn how to strategically use the United Nations system to protect cultural rights. This module will focus on the underutilized potential of the UN to defend artists, with case studies that highlight issues of indigenous rights and artists facing heightened vulnerability.
3. The Art* Module
This module brings in the expertise of artists who have faced censorship and legal challenges firsthand. Topics will include the escalating climate of censorship both online and offline, as well as the rise in legal disputes regarding AI and intellectual property.
The course will incorporate theoretical as well as practical learning, through the delivery of presentations, group exercises, discussions and case studies. It consists of 12 sessions with a total teaching time of 18 hours and an additional 12 hours for guided readings.
DOWNLOAD THE COURSE PROGRAMME.
learning outcomes
Successful completion of the programme will allow participants to:
- Navigate the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations to defend artists
- Develop practical skills in designing litigation strategies for artists in challenging situations
- Gain hands-on experience with the procedural specifics of international mechanisms and regional judicial bodies
- Use legal and advocacy tools to defend artists
who should join?
This programme is open to lawyers, artists, journalists, culture workers, and members of civil society who are eager to develop the skills to competently protect art and artists in today’s rapidly changing landscape. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this critical and timely programme and join a growing global Community of Practice dedicated to defending artists worldwide.
Register below by 23 April!
REGISTER TO ATTEND THE ART* OF DEFENDING ARTISTS 3.0
We invite you to submit your interest by filling out the form below. Once we have reviewed your application, we will get back to you with further details. If you have been accepted to attend the course, we will send you a secure payment link.
When filling out the form, please note that
- AGL Network members are individuals from organisations that have closely collaborated with Avant-Garde Lawyers and therefore eligible for a discount.
- Students are entitled to a reduced fee and we encourage universities to subsidise this.
The course is free of charge for our current or former legal interns, case experts, translators and lawyers who have worked on AGL cases pro-bono. Please send an email to merje.laiapea@avantgardelawyers.org.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is the language of instruction?
The course shall be taught in English.
Q. I am still a student, can I apply for this course?
We welcome applications from students interested in learning more about artistic freedom. Students who have taken up coursework in art, creative industries, culture, human rights, political science, international relations, law or related fields are encouraged to apply.
Q. Will there be an examination at the end of the course?
There will not be an examination at the end of the course. Participants will be expected to complete the exercises led by the experts during each individual session. Participants shall receive a Certificate of Completion and a Transcript of Records at the end of the course.
Q. Are the preliminary readings for the course mandatory?
Participants are strongly encouraged to do the guided readings as they will help to participate in the discussions.
Q. Do I need to keep my camera on for the duration of the course?
While it is not mandatory for participants to keep their camera on during the sessions, it is highly encouraged.
If you need further information, please send an email to merje.laiapea@avantgardelawyers.org