Index on Censorship is delighted to announce the first two events in a series of online conversations about artistic freedom of expression in Wales. They form part of our ArtFreedomWales programme looking at how artistic freedom is regarded, supported, debated and promoted across the arts sector, in the press, by the public, by funders and policy makers in the UK.
Wales as a centre for artistic freedom of expression – the opportunities and the obstacles.
Online conversation with Tim Price – playwright, Kathryn Gray – poet and writer, Lisa Jen – musician/actor/writer and Leah Crossley – artist.
What: ArtFreedomWales
When: July 18, 11am (BST)
Where: Take part in the Google Hangout here
Artists working in Welsh – opportunities and obstacles to expression
Online conversation with Arwel Gruffydd – Artistic Director Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, and Bethan Parry Jones – broadcaster, journalist and writer.
What: ArtFreedomWales
When: August 1, 11am (BST)
Where: Take part in the Google Hangout here
Please note: this conversation will be in Welsh with an English summary at the end.
These are the first two of four events we are live-streaming over the summer in the lead up to a symposium in Cardiff at Chapter Arts Centre (expected in October) on artistic freedom of expression in Wales. You will be able to email and tweet questions to the panels during the discussion. We want to hear from everyone producing and participating in the arts in Wales who has something to say about freedom of expression. These discussions will inform the agenda for a symposium in Cardiff and each will focus on a different theme that we have identified through our initial research.
What are the issues in Wales? What are the opportunities? What are the obstacles? What has the right to freedom of expression got to do with Wales’ major cultural debates and policies – bi-lingualism, engaging young people and ethnically diverse voices, tackling poverty, maximising on new cultural infrastructure, having an international voice?
Last year we held a conference in London ‘Taking the Offensive’ which identified and debated the social, political or legal controls that shape the cultural landscape. (Read the full report here.) We held a symposium in Belfast in May exploring these issues in Northern Ireland. (The report is due shortly.)
We want to engage with everyone who is interested in this subject. Welsh translations of all our key messages and information will be provided. Given the limitations of the budget we cannot make this a fully bilingual project, but we will ensure that Welsh speaking artists are involved in all aspects of the programme and translation is available.
Arts Council of Wales supports this programme
