Ethical Behaviour and Moral Responses in the Arts
Many artists claim to represent the conscience of society. But to what extent are we willing and able to take a stand when the options to develop or continue careers in the arts are being challenged by doing so? What if ethical behaviour becomes a costly luxury?
In this session at IETM Amsterdam, the participants aimed to discuss the very delicate balance between losing your audience and accepting support from controversial regimes or from sponsors whose practices are in conflict with our values. Should we stay away from politics? Should we boycott controversial regimes and funders? Should we ban the artists and organisations dealing with them? And what is the price — even if it seems the right thing to do — of adopting the moral high ground?
