This is absolutely no surprise, but at least now we have some attempt at quantification of the rot in the arts world. Artists ‘terrified to voice unfashionable opinions’.
The arts world is petrified about tackling controversial subjects because creative people are scared to speak their mind, according to a survey that outlines a dramatic decline in artistic freedom over the past five years.
The report revealed widespread fears over dissenting from ideological conformity over a range of issues including Israel and Palestine, gender ideology and even whether one was politically right of centre.
Yep. Israel and gender ideology. Them's the two. Know where someone stands on one of those and you're fairly clear on where they stand on the other. In the arts world, it seems, positions are pre-determined if you know what's good for you and your career. So brave; so edgy.
Five years ago, 32 per cent of arts workers felt free to express their personal opinions and only one in 25 said they would “never” speak up. Now it is 10 per cent and one in six.
The report by Freedom in the Arts also found that 81 per cent of people felt the sharing of controversial opinions on topics risked ostracism compared with only 35 per cent in 2020.
Detailed interviews found that viewpoints deemed taboo included disagreeing that trans women are women, the supporting of Israel, the questioning of the tactics of movements such as Black Lives Matter, any criticism of diversity, equality and inclusion policies, Brexit, and even fox hunting.
The report collated a series of cases where people have been forced out of publicly funded organisations because of their “taboo” views, and sidelined from book festivals, poetry readings and art exhibitions, as well as being vilified on social media platforms….
One respondent said that a decade ago “people didn’t care about an artist’s personal views as long as the art was good, whereas now if they find out you’ve got the wrong opinion, they don’t want to know about your art”.
The report also stated that “women who voiced gender-critical viewpoints reported being subject to psychological torment, social ostracisation, [and] attempts at economic sabotage” by colleagues.
Part of the reason for this, with the trans debate, is surely the patent absurdity of gender ideology. If the arguments were clear and logical, no pressure would be needed. People would automatically gravitate towards the sensible view. But no one really, deep down, believes TWAW, or that you can change sex by fiat, and men should be free to use women-only spaces if they feel like it. A strong degree of social pressure is required. And, it seems, no group is keener on peer approval than the conforming artist.
Also, the BBC and the Arts Council….
Mick Hartley 
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