We are delighted to launch a new project „Supporting Freedom of Artistic Expression in Georgia – Free ArtExpress. “  

The overall goal of the project is to increase awareness about the importance of artistic freedom and its connection to the general country development, human rights and European Integration through international advocacy, various awareness raising activities and increased opportunities for Georgian artists.

Throughout the project we aim to:

  • Curate an exhibition showcasing the stories/profiles of Georgian artists and processes of resistance from the past
  • Provide capacity building support – opportunity grants fostering artistic freedom of expression and artistic EU-integration
  • Engage with various international actors, use international advocacy mechanisms freedom of artistic expression
  • Support Film Club screenings and follow up thematic discussions through partnership with Documentary Association of Georgia (DOCA).  Support Georgian documentary filmmakers who are in the development, production or post-production stage, particularly those who are raising awareness on human rights protection through their films.

Read some interesting facts & background information related to the project:

Free ArtExpress

Supporting Freedom of Artistic Expression in Georgia

The situation of artistic freedom (freedom of artistic expression) could be an indicator of the overall freedom of expression situation, or “index” of the country. Sometimes, artistic circles have limited opportunities to create and distribute their free expressions without government interference, are attacked or persecuted by state or non-state actor groups as a result of their artistic work & expressions. Therefore, artists often play a role akin to human rights activists – they often express their ideas through art and describe human rights challenges in a creative way.

The Council of Europe Manifesto on the Freedom of Expression of the Arts and Culture in the Digital Age states that:

“Artists must be protected against censorship and any form of pressure or intimidation”

Freedom of Artistic Expression – guarantees in Law:

  • Freedom of artistic expression is part of freedom of expression, protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
  • Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia, and
  • Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression.

Artistic Freedom is further connected to other rights protected under international law, such as: the right to have artistic work supported, distributed, the right to freedom of movement, association, protection of social and economic rights, the right to participate in cultural life. As it is mentioned in the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

About Human Rights House Tbilisi

Based in Tbilisi, Human Rights House was registered in 2010 as a non- governmental organization with the support of the Human Rights House Foundation. HRHT became a member of the Human Rights House Network in the same year. The Human Rights House Network defends, empowers and supports human rights defenders and their organizations.

Human Rights House Tbilisi (HRHT) is a membership-based organization and unites five Georgian civil society organizations, working in different fields of Human Rights. The member organizations of HRHT are the Human Rights Center (HRIDC), Rights Georgia, Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT), Sapari and Media Institute.

According to the strategy of the Human Rights House Tbilisi, one of the main goals of the HRHT is the protection and empowerment of human rights defenders and human rights organizations, as well as awareness-raising about human rights issues with main focus on freedoms of expression and association and right to be a human rights defender.

Contact: [email protected]

Webpages:  www.hrht.ge ; www.defenders.ge

‘’Free ArtExpress’’ is supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Georgia. The views expressed in relation to the project may not reflect the Embassy’s position.