Preparing a new Culture Compass for Europe
Consultation event with cultural sector representatives, hosted by European Commissioner Glenn Micallef Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport
The Culture Compass for Europe is conceived as a new strategic framework to guide cultural policy in the European Union. AR’s co-directors Ivor Stodolsky and Marita Muukkonen had the honour to participate in the early consultation meeting on this initiative on the 20 March, 2025, at the Commission’s Berlaymont building, Brussels, convened and hosted by the Commissioner himself.
Commissioner Micallef made multiple innovative and ambitious proposals. He began with an emphasis on the importance of artistic freedom and freedom of expression, a topic close to the heart of Artists at Risk (AR). He furthermore underlined culture’s great value well beyond the creative sector proper, reporting on the impressive steps his office has already taken to include culture directly in the policies and budgets of all aspects of society – and EU DGs – including those of the social, health, defence and economic sectors. He also made clear his ambition to increase the budget for culture by multiple factors and hold regular consultations.
“Europe’s culture and cultural heritage, together with its vibrant creativity, diversity, and cultural freedoms, are irreplaceable cornerstones of the European project. At a time of profound challenges, the cultural and creative sectors are key to Europe’s societal resilience. Issues such as artistic freedom, the working conditions of artists, the impact of AI on creators, and persistent barriers to access culture demand our urgent attention. A bold response is needed.
A new Culture Compass should provide direction and establish a more visible, coherent, and strategic approach to culture across EU policies. This requires strong political will as well as the close involvement of stakeholders.”
In the Commissioner’s words, “A strong cultural and creative sector is a sign of a healthy democracy. At a time of profound disruption, Europe needs a Culture Compass.”
We are pleased to also share that the EU has opened comments on the Cultural Compass to the wider public. Have your say!
The Cultural Compass is expected to be presented by the Commission in the fourth quarter of 2025.
🤝 Thank you to Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, for convening and hosting this meeting!
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