Reports Threats, violence and harassment against artists and writers in the Nordics, is the first study of artists' experiences of threats, violence and harassment in several Nordic countries and the extent and consequences of this.

The analysis is based on responses to questionnaires from artists in performing arts, literature and visual arts in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Of the artists who participated in the survey, between 36 and 61 per cent said they have sometimes experienced threats, violence and harassment at work. Between 10 and 25 per cent say they have experienced this in the last 12 months.


Danish performing artists experience harassment or threats

The figure is highest among Danish performing artists. Here, 61 per cent of respondents say they have sometimes experienced it. 25 per cent say it was within the last year.

The results show that many of those affected feel that their artistic freedom has been restricted. The report highlights a serious threat to artists and musicians' ability to work and express themselves freely, says artist advocate Sara Indrio

»This is a very worrying trend that we also see in reports on mental wellbeing. It paints an overall picture that being an artist and a public figure is vulnerable and can have both personal and professional costs. I'm particularly struck by the fact that some respondents said that they simply change their artistic expression as a result. If you can't do your work without being harassed or threatened, it's a threat to artistic freedom that we need to take very seriously," says Sara Indrio.

"If you can't do your work without being harassed or threatened, it's a threat to artistic freedom"
Sara Indrio - Chairperson of the Danish Artist Association

 

Experiencing threats and harassment can have serious consequences for the individual artist and artistic expression, but it can also create more motivation to speak up artistically.

Many of the performers who have experienced threats or harassment have been strengthened in their commitment and willingness to express themselves artistically.

Between a fifth and a third of Danish performing artists who have been threatened or harassed fully or partially agree with the statement that experiences of vulnerability have led to an increased commitment and desire to express themselves artistically.

"Danish artists reflect what is happening in our shared society, and a healthy democratic dialogue requires that artists can express themselves freely. We need to support artists, regardless of how they choose to work. First and foremost, we need more knowledge about how we as a society can prevent artists from being threatened and harassed in the first place," says Sara Indrio.


Both men and women experience destructive responses

According to the study, both men and women are equally exposed to poor treatment. Among both genders, threats and harassment are most common. Women are more likely to experience sexual harassment, while men are more likely to experience varying degrees of threats.

A total of 3184 artists responded to the survey. In Denmark, members of the Danish Association of Visual Artists and the Danish Artist Association are included in the survey.

Read the full Nordic mapping
"A healthy democratic dialogue requires that artists can express themselves freely"
Sara Indrio - Chairperson of the Danish Artist Association