Risks, Rights and Reputations: Challenging a risk averse culture
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Risks, Rights & Reputations (RRR) provides artists and arts organisations with the guidance, inspiration, tools and resources to navigate the rights and responsibilities of producing socially sensitive work.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Embracing risk and controversy, understanding rights and responsibilities and re-evaluating reputation, all contribute to creating the conditions for freedom of artistic expression to thrive.
Drawing on our experience of monitoring censorship and self-censorship over the past 10 years in the UK, Index aims to build institutional and individual confidence and resilience needed to navigate dilemmas and embrace controversy associated with challenging, provocative art and expression by the full diversity of artists. Building on the 2018 programme run in partnership with What Next? And Cause4 RRR provides resources, guidance, mentoring, bespoke training, and access to pro-bono support to promote artistic freedom of expression to the cultural sector. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Resources” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_row_inner disable_element=”yes”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
RRR pro-bono professional advice
The service provides free advice and support to colleagues in the cultural sector facing ethical, reputational, legal or personal issues at any point in the life cycle of creating, producing or presenting a piece of work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Bespoke training and consultancy
The problems and dilemmas associated with the programming and planning of certain works of art are usually very specific, affected by the specific location and siting of the work, the audience, particular communities of interest who might be hostile to the work, concerns about press and social media. We offer bespoke training and consultancy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Case Studies” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]These case studies cover art work going back over the past 9 years that deals with some of the most highly sensitised, contentious and complex issues in today’s society – terrorism, incest, slavery, illegal immigration, grooming, radicalisation – provoking debate and controversy around authorship, representation, the role of the police and online campaigns and self-censorship. In some cases the work was removed, in others not – in some the controversy was anticipated, in others not. Collectively, the case studies aim to equip arts organisations and artists with insight into what worked and what didn’t, what mistakes were made, and what lessons were learned.
The most recent and ongoing series of case studies, written over the past couple of years, are short publications of record with a brief account of what happened, supported by press commentary and short ‘reflective’ interviews with people involved looking back on the legacy of the events.[/vc_column_text][posts_grid_width_page category_id=”8884″][vc_custom_heading text=”Commentary and Reports” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][posts_grid_width_page category_id=”8885″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”103263″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Kwame Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director, Young Vic[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
“The work produced and directed on stages across the UK has made unprecedented strides in putting ideas, visual or otherwise, to audiences since the UK Theatre Act was overturned in 1968. That said, it’s our duty as theatre makers to keep the torch burning and ensure the legacy of those who campaigned continues. We can do that by never believing there isn’t a boundary that can’t be pushed, or a difficult question we can’t ask.”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”105283″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Sir Nick Serota, chair of Arts Council England[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
“In recent years there have been an increasing number of high-profile cases raising ethical and censorship issues around plays, exhibitions and other artworks. Censorship – and self-censorship – can stand in the way of great art. That’s why Arts Council England is committed to supporting those organisations who are taking creative risks. It’s important that organisations are aware of relevant legislation and the excellent guidance that exists. This programme is an important step in ensuring that our sector can continue to create vital, challenging, and risk-taking work.”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Further Reading” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][posts_grid_width_page category_id=”22244″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Art and the Law” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indexoncensorship.org%2Fcampaigns%2Fart-and-the-law%2F|||”][vc_column_text]Guides to the law on free expression and the arts in England and Wales[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=”Child Protection” tab_id=”1500476202857-57f7def9-a917bf12-4b2a”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Child Protection
Child protection is a sensitive area of law and a deserved focus of public concern. The prospect of a police investigation alone will be a matter of substantial press interest, while an actual prosecution, although unlikely in the professional arts sector, would nevertheless result in grave consequences for the gallery and the artist.
Read more[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”81100″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2015/07/art-and-the-law-child-protection/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Counter Terrorism” tab_id=”1500535116364-451e594b-9153bf12-4b2a”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Counter Terrorism
Counter-terrorism is a complex and controversial area of the law, not least because the offences are often very widely drafted. The relevant legal definition of terrorism, contained within the Terrorism Act 2000 (and further extended in 2006), is very broad and potentially covers a very wide range of acts beyond those that are widely understood to be “terrorist” in nature.
Read more[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”81105″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2015/07/art-law-counter-terrorism/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Obscene Publications” tab_id=”1500535326180-535796ce-7cf4bf12-4b2a”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Obscene Publications
Obscene publications are governed by the Obscene Publications Act 1959 and the Obscene Publications Act 1964. The 1959 Act sets out the legal test for obscenity and creates certain offences and defences.
Read more[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”81110″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2016/02/art-law-obscene-publications/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Public Order” tab_id=”1500535513084-1a5d8cbc-8b31bf12-4b2a”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Public Order
Public order law is complicated and its application to any particular case will be fact-specific. It should be borne in mind that much of this area of law – in particular breach of the peace – is governed by the common law. Common law, also referred to as case law, is made by judges and developed in the cases that come before the court over time.
Read more[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”81133″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2015/07/art-law-public-order/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Race and Religion” tab_id=”1500535700426-333d46b7-c509bf12-4b2a”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Race and Religion
UK law criminalises conduct that has the intent of stirring up racial hatred or hatred on grounds of religion or sexual orientation.
Read more[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”81139″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2016/02/art-law-race-religion/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]