Arts and Culture Funders Forum – Funding Arts and Culture in Polarised Times
The Arts and Culture Funders Forum will host a workshop on “Funding Arts and Culture in Polarised Times” on 2 June in Lisbon, as part of the “Cultural Philanthropy in Action” series.
As the European Union enters a new policy cycle in a polarised political landscape, artists and cultural institutions are facing a growing instrumentalisation of culture alongside heightened public scrutiny and public funding cuts. This in turn may affect the potential for transformation and innovation within the arts sector, putting at risk artistic freedom through ‘under-radar’ threats as well as, more subtly, via self-censorship.
In this context, how are foundations tackling the influence of political polarisation and rising nationalism on arts funding? As the artistic and cultural fields are increasingly being looked upon as a tool, product or resource for achieving external goals, how can philanthropic organisations support artists and cultural institutions while respecting artistic freedom and avoiding instrumentalisation?
Ahead of the Philea Forum 2025, this workshop will offer a space to strengthen ties amongst arts and culture funders by sharing challenges and experiences around the topic of funding arts and culture and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The workshop is a continuation of the “Cultural Philanthropy in Action” webinar series which began earlier in 2025 and investigated the instrumentalisation of arts and culture, how to showcase the value of arts beyond statistics, and leveraging arts and culture for youth and community engagement in rural and remote areas.
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