Socially Responsible Artistic and Cultural Exchange
From Roots of Hope Wiki
Over the past 50 years, US-Cuba policy with respect to artistic exchange has been highly volatile and at times unpredictable. The last few years have seen a real trend toward improvements in the level of exchange – Cuban artists have performed in the US in larger numbers and US artists have performed in Cuba in larger numbers.
Unfortunately, many Cuban-born artists residing in the US have not been allowed to perform in Cuba, at the behest of the Cuban government. It is important that all cultural exchanges seek to be as inclusive as possible. With this in mind, we present the following recommendations, which can help guide the performance decisions of foreign artists considering a performance on the island.
Recommendations for socially responsible artistic and cultural exchanges for foreign artists performing or displaying works within Cuba
- Inclusiveness: Cuban artists should not be barred from participating or collaborating in the event. The event should not be only open to government-sanctioned artists.
- Free attendance: Attendance for the event should be open to all, without restrictions.
- Free expression: The content of the event should be at the sole discretion of the artist(s), without any censorship by any government or government-sponsored cultural institution.
