09/10/2026
AICA International has published the results of its first international Freedom of Expression Survey, offering a closer look at the challenges facing art critics and cultural professionals today.
Introducing the publication, AICA International President Małgorzata Kaźmierczak writes:
“Freedom of expression is one of the fundamental conditions for the existence of art criticism. Without the possibility of questioning, analysing, interpreting and challenging dominant narratives, criticism loses its social role, and culture loses one of its essential mechanisms of reflection and accountability. The freedom to write, speak, curate and debate is therefore a cornerstone of democratic societies and cultural development.
Today, however, freedom of expression is increasingly being tested around the world. The challenges take many forms: direct censorship, political and institutional pressure, economic dependency, legal intimidation, online harassment and the growing tendency towards self-censorship.
This publication presents the findings of the first international Freedom of Expression Survey conducted by AICA International. By gathering the experiences of art critics and other cultural professionals, the survey provides an important snapshot of the current state of freedom of expression in the visual arts and highlights the challenges faced by those working within the cultural sector.
I hope it will contribute to a better understanding of these challenges and will encourage further international cooperation in defending artistic and intellectual freedom.”
Read the full publication on AICA International’s website: https://aicainternational.news/agora/2026/10/4/results-of-the-survey-on-freedom-of-expression
