Drawing on Europe‑wide survey data, workshops and desk research, the report “Between Rhetoric and Reality: Cultural Rights,…
Independent museums
Museums must operate within a framework of professional independence and responsibility to fulfil their mission and societal role effectively. NEMO works to safeguard museums' independence, ensuring they remain trusted institutions and empower them to play a vital role in society, even amidst polarisation.
What NEMO does
Museums across Europe are facing growing political pressure and societal polarisation, which increasingly hinders their ability to operate impartially and fulfil their educational and cultural roles. NEMO has drawn attention to this issue, emphasising that museums are becoming arenas for political contention. Such pressure threatens their professional independence and their reputation as trusted institutions.
NEMO is actively addressing these challenges by:
- Raising awareness – Through public statements, reports, and conferences, NEMO is bringing attention to the growing pressure on museums.
- Facilitating dialogue – Hosting conferences and creating safer spaces for museum colleagues to exchange experiences and strategies.
- Providing support – NEMO offers resources and guidance to help museums respond to political pressure and deepen community engagement.
The guide “A Guide to Managing Incidents and Promoting Safety in Culture” addresses the growing number of disruptive and, in some cases, violent incidents targeting cultural institutions, events, and professionals. Developed by…
A recent report by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) shows a troubling trend among foundations in the…
Helpful resources in challenging times
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Toolkits and supporting material for museums in (politically) challenging situations
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Toolkits on prevention work
A Guide to Managing Incidents and Promoting Safety in Culture
This guide addresses the growing number of disruptive and, in some cases, violent incidents targeting cultural institutions, events, and professionals. Developed by five cultural associations in Portugal, it provides practical support for cultural organisations seeking to safeguard freedom of expression, ensure public safety, and respond effectively to intimidation and harassment.Between Rhetoric and Reality: Cultural Rights, Artistic Freedom, and Democratic Resilience
Democracy and human rights are under growing pressure worldwide, and culture is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of democratic resilience. But what does this mean in practice for artists and cultural organisations today? Drawing on a Europe-wide survey, this report examines how performing arts professionals experience artistic freedom, cultural participation, and cultural rights today, offering grounded insights and policy recommendations to inspire meaningful action in Europe and beyond.Curator’s Handbook for Managing Controversy
This handbook offers curators practical guidance for handling the complex negotiations—within institutions, with trustees, with artists, and with stakeholders in the community—involved in creating potentially-controversial exhibitions. Information was collected through interviews with curators and museum directors and through a series of curatorial workshops.Democracy resilience toolkit
Developed by the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) in the USA, this toolkit (2025) is designed to prompt discussion and action on protecting racial equity in the face of political disruption. It includes practical guides to help identify and implement strategies that support resilience in museum work.Museum best practices for managing controversy
The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) in the USA offers a non-binding document (2025) providing guidance for museums facing accusations of inappropriate or offensive content. This resource helps institutions manage controversial content and transform controversy into educational opportunities.Reconsidering museums toolkit – Communicating museums’ value
This Canadian initiative provides resources to help museum professionals articulate the value of museums and respond to changing public expectations. The toolkit includes messaging strategies and data to support advocacy efforts, particularly useful during times of financial uncertainty. Besides the online toolkit there is also an Advocacy Policy Template and Action Guide (2023).Sensitive Stories: Archive or Publish?
How does the museum address the privacy, well-being, and safety of witnesses or story donors? Many are still alive and reflect on pivotal moments in their lives. Some find themselves in vulnerable positions, such as refugees, or speak about others in their interviews. To handle this heritage with care, the Red Star Line Museum developed a legal framework, risk analysis, and workflow to improve the way these stories are collected, preserved, documented, and made accessible.Access the resource. Also available in Dutch.
Silenced, not stopped: A toolkit for resisting censorship.
This practical guide provides strategies to anticipate and respond to censorship, build alliances, utilise legal resources, and protect digital security. It emphasises proactive planning, negotiation, and community collaboration to sustain artistic freedom.Checklist for crisis-proof museums
The German Museums Association has developed a checklist (2024) that provides practical ideas for the most important steps on the way to a crisis-proof museum. The contents were developed jointly by the participants at the 2024 conference ‘Museums navigating through crises’. The checklist first provides an overview of the three central fields of action: Priority People, Crisis-proof organisations and preparing for emergencies. This is followed by a compilation of the individual tasks within the three fields of action.Access the resource (in German)
Dealing with the cultural wars in memorial sites and museums
The Association for Democratic Culture in Berlin (Germany) and the mobile counselling service against right-wing extremism have joined forces to produce a publication (2019) on the topic of ‘Dealing with the cultural struggle from the right in memorials and museums’. Examples are used to illustrate the challenges facing museums and memorials. The publication ends with specific recommendations for action.Access the resource (in German)
Museums in the political sphere
The handout ‘Museums in the Political Arena: Knowing the Room for Manoeuvre, Taking a Stand’ (2025) by the German Museums Association outlines the legal framework guiding how museums interact with visitors, staff, and political actors. It highlights museums' rights and limitations regarding political engagement, including access for parties, independence from political influence, and the scope for pursuing their own political objectives—illustrated through practical examples.Access the resource (in German)
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Toolkits on political education in museums
The Center for Cultural Participation
The Center for Cultural Participation – Baden-Württemberg (ZfKT) in Germany supports arts and cultural institutions across the state in promoting diversity, inclusion, and cultural participation through practical programs, training, funding, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Founded in 2021, the ZfKT acts as a service and networking platform rooted in cultural policy, institutional needs, and current research, aiming to strengthen access to culture for all, especially underrepresented groups. Thinking cultural and political education together is one of their main topics.MUCIT: Museums as Sites of Citizenship
Led by the European Wergeland Centre, based in Norway, the project MUCIT: Museums as Sites of Citizenship (with museums in Ukraine, Poland, Norway) builds a network to strengthen museum-led civic education. It focuses on dialogue, youth engagement, and tackling extremist or authoritarian narratives.Multaka: Museum as Meeting Point
Originating in Berlin (Germany) in 2015, Multaka connects migrants (Arabic/Persian speakers) with museums through guided tours and intercultural dialogue. By 2019, its methods have been replicated across 29 museums in the UK, Italy, Greece, and Switzerland - promoting inclusion and political understanding.Agenda for the establishment of political education in museums
The ‘Working Group: Culture, Politics and Education’ of the National Museums in Berlin developed an ‘Agenda for the Establishment of Political Education in Museums’. Based on theories and experiences of political education work as well as the evaluation of the ‘Political Education in Museums’ project, the authors generated seven theses. Each thesis was explained in practical terms. The ‘Agenda’ is a major advocate for strengthening civic education in museums and can serve as a recommendation and source of inspiration for other museums.Learn more (in German)
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Toolkits on prevention work
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Museum (umbrella organisation) statements
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International statements
Protection and promotion of museums and collections
In 2015, UNESCO published 35 recommendation concerning the protection and promotion of museums and collections, their diversity and their role in society. These are also downloadable as PDF in different languages (such as Spanish, French and English).Statement on the independence of museums
In January 2020, ICOM International Council of Museums has published a Statement on the independence of museums. -
National statements
Austria
ICOM Statement addressing the current situation of the Smithsonian Institution
Initiated by ICOM Austria supported by ICOM Germany and ICOM Switzerland
The independence of museums is non-negotiable – political interference threatens their credibility everywhere in the world. Against this backdrop, ICOM Austria expresses its deep concern about the political demands made to the Smithsonian Institution.Estonia
Public statement regarding local elections in Estonia
The Estonian Museums Association published a statement asking for the needs of museums not to be forgotten in local elections taking place in autumn 2025. The letter includes a section calling for museums to be able to operate autonomously.Learn more (in Estonian)
Germany
German Museums Association mission statement
The German Museums Association’s mission was published in 2024. The central prerequisite for being able to work as a museum in the spirit of these values is independence.Learn more (in German)
The Lübeck Manifesto for Museums
In 2025 museums in Lübeck joined forces to develop a manifesto for museums with 7 theses. Other institutions are invited to sign the manifesto.The United Kingdom
Code of Ethics
The Museums Association published a Code of Ethics in 2020. It is downloadable as PDF on the website, and there are as well toolkits and guidelines for working with and implementing the code of ethics. Of special interest are the sections on public engagement and public benefit (paragraphs 1.2, 1.3).United States of America
Statement on the Growing Threats of Censorship Against U.S. Museums
The American Alliance of Museums, the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum field, has issued a statement in response to the growing threats of censorship against U.S. museums.
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International statements
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Code of Conducts, ethics, and legal frameworks
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Code of Conducts and Ethics
CIMAM Governance clauses for museum ethics
In 2022, The International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art (CIMAM) developed a set of governance clauses aimed at protecting museums and their staff during times of crisis. These clauses are designed to safeguard institutional autonomy and promote ethical governance practices.Guidelines for creating a code of conduct
The American Alliance of Museums has published guidelines for the creation of a code of conduct for museums, with examples on leadership and organisational structure standards. -
Legal documents
Legal documents and recommendations from the European Union (EU)
Charter of Fundamental Rights
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CFR) was published in 2000. Of special interest is article 11: Freedom of Expression and Information, which guarantees the right to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority. Another interesting Article is number 13: Freedom of the Arts and Sciences, which states that 'The arts and scientific research shall be free of constraint. Academic freedom shall be respected.'Treaty on European Union (TEU)
The Treaty on European Union (TEU) is one of the EU’s founding treaties that sets out its core principles, values, and institutional framework. It establishes how the EU functions politically, defines the roles of its key institutions, and promotes democracy, rule of law, and human rights among its member states.Article 2 establishes the Union's foundational values, including respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights, which are common to all member states.Learn more (consolidated version of 2012)
Legal documents and recommendations from the Council of Europe (CoE)
The European Convention on Human Rights
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) from 1950 is a fundamental document. Especially Article 10 'Freedom of Expression' ensures the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority.Faro Convention
The Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society from the Faro Convention, 2005, recognises the right of individuals and communities to benefit from cultural heritage and emphasises the need for democratic participation in cultural heritage governance.Public responsibility for higher education and research
The Recommendation 'CM/Rec(2007)6' on the public responsibility for higher education and research from 2007 emphasises the importance of institutional autonomy and academic freedom, asserting that public authorities have a responsibility to protect these freedoms.Strengthening European Identity through Education and Cultur
In 2017 the European Commission published a Communication to the parliament on: 'Strengthening European Identity through Education and Culture'. It highlights the role of free and independent cultural sectors in supporting democracy and shared European values.
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Code of Conducts and Ethics
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Networks, projects and surveys on political influence
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Networks
HateAid
HateAid is a non-profit organisation based in Berlin (Germany) that promotes human rights in digital space and stands up against digital violence and its consequences at both social and political levels.Solidarity in Action Network
The Solidarity in Action Network (SIA) is an initiative of the Aspen Institute Germany (in cooperation with partners in Romania, Italy and the USA) that connects young civil society leaders from the Western Balkans and North America to develop concrete policy recommendations for peace, democracy and transatlantic cooperation. The programme (June 2025 - January 2026) includes workshops, a study visit to Albania and aims to empower participants to create sustainable political momentum.Netzwerk Halt!ung
The Netzwerk Halt!ung is an association of scientists and museum makers in Germany. They advise and support museums and their employees who are exposed to anti-democratic influence.Learn more (in German)
Open Culture!
Open Culture! is a non-partisan citizens' initiative of cultural communities from all over Slovakia. They are calling on institutions and stakeholders in the cultural scene to join and sign the Open Culture! memorandum. The aim of the Open Culture! platform is to network the Slovakian cultural scene in order to take joint measures to protect culture in Slovakia from destructive political measures.Learn more (in Slovak)
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Projects
Challenging Populist Truth-Making in Europe: The Role of Museums in a Digital ‘Post-Truth’ European Society (CHAPTER)
The CHAPTER project (2020 - ongoing) investigates how museums in Europe can counter the growing influence of populist truth-making in digital societies by combining ethnographic research with digital innovation. Through co-designing a museum app with young visitors from the UK, Germany, and Poland, the project aims to develop practical strategies and critical tools that help museums engage with emotional narratives and promote democratic, reflective public discourse.Cultural dynamics. Museums and democracy in motion
This AHRC-DFG funded research project, running from 2023 - 2026, at Newcastle University, UK and Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany, explores how museums in the UK and Germany, despite their shared global influences and institutional frameworks, respond differently to contemporary democratic challenges due to distinct cultural and political contexts. Through comparative, qualitative research, it aims to critically examine how museums represent democracy and adapt to changing societal values, ultimately supporting their role as democratic, dialogical public spaces. -
Research and surveys
The Censorship Horizon
This research shows that art museum directors in the USA are growing increasingly concerned about censorship, yet most institutions lack formal policies to address it. The study, conducted by PEN America, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), and Artists at Risk Connection, highlights a rising unease within the sector.Sweden’s museums under strain
A member survey conducted by DIK (the trade union for culture, communication and the creative industries in Sweden) in 2025 sheds light on the growing pressures faced by museums across Sweden. The findings reveal a sector grappling with resource shortages, increasing workloads, and challenges to artistic freedom and workplace security. Some organisation deliberately avoids certain subjects due to the potential for strong public reactions or safety concerns. Respondents also reported attempts by politicians to influence exhibitions or programming.Learn more (in Swedish)
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Networks
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NEMO's advocacy actions
Barometer on political influence
The NEMO Barometer on political influence in European museums confirms political pressure on the sector. It shows how societal polarisation is increasingly compromising museum operations, threatening their independence and reputation as impartial institutions. Since its release in January 2025, NEMO has shared the Barometer’s findings at multiple events to support the sector to remain independent and trusted.
Museums under pressure
Following the NEMO European Museum Conference Can we talk? Museums facing polarisation, the NEMO Executive Board issued a statement on 20 November 2024 addressing the growing impact of political interference. It warns that such pressure can lead to self-censorship and reaffirms NEMO’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity, independence, and resilience of Europe’s museums.
Independence: At the core of NEMO’s mission
NEMO’s Policy Statement, which outlines the network’s mission and strategic focus, reflects its commitment to museum independence. It outlines four key values and three cross-cutting themes essential to the sector’s development, placing Collection, Social, Education, and Economic values at the centre. The statement also affirms that museums must operate independently and responsibly, guided by law and cultural rights, to serve society and uphold shared European values.
NEMO safeguards artistic freedom
NEMO is part of the Advisory Board of the Council of Europe’s Free to Create – Create To be Free Platform, an initiative dedicated to promoting artistic freedom as a fundamental human right. By bringing forward the concerns of museums, NEMO aims to reinforce the independence of cultural institutions and advocate for policies that uphold artistic and institutional freedom. The platform will provide real-time analysis and practical tools to help protect artistic freedom.