Art is a Human Right

What do we mean, art is a human right?

Well, it’s pretty simple actually.

Enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is Article 27 that states that “everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” 

Cultural rights are inseparable from human rights, as recognized in Article 5 of the 2001 UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity, and can be defined as the right of access to, participation in and enjoyment of culture.

This includes the right of individuals and communities “to know, understand, visit, make use of, maintain, exchange and develop cultural heritage and cultural expressions, as well as to benefit from the cultural heritage and cultural expressions of others.”

Why defend the right to culture?

Culture is fundamental to human dignity and identity.

It’s why we set up our first Dome in the Calais Jungle, it’s why we work every day to bring people together to create art together.

Understanding the link between cultural rights and human rights is really important to the safeguarding and promotion of culture, as well as the rights of people.

Cultural rights force us to take into account the rights of individuals and communities in relation to culture and, in particular, to connect cultural heritage and expressions with the people who produce them.

As UNESCO says, “At a time when artists, cultural minorities, cultural heritage and cultural expressions are increasingly under attack, defending the cultural rights of individuals and communities has never been more important.”

That’s why we’re all a part of Good Chance!