The 13th meeting of the European Commissions’ Expert Group on Cultural Heritage focusses on a broad range of topics, from the upcoming Culture Compass, and Culture Action Europe’s State of Culture in Europe report to the latest EU strategies for safeguarding cultural heritage, with a particular emphasis on resilience, collaboration, and innovation.
NEMO’s contribution to the meeting consisted of a presentation on the NEMO Barometer on political influence in museums in Europe, with results released in January 2025.
- Explore the results of the NEMO Barometer
The presentation highlighted the need for freedom of artistic expression in Europe. Pagel shared NEMO’s belief in supporting the cultural freedom of institutions that provide spaces for reflection and art. She also referred to a statement issued by the NEMO Executive Board in November 2024 addressing the growing challenges museums face due to political interference and societal division, reaffirming NEMO’s commitment to preserving the integrity, independence, and resilience of museums across Europe.
These challenges were echoed by other participants - many cultural sub-sectors, such as theaters and operas are also affected. A takeaway from the meeting and a message to the EU is the importance of an autonomous cultural sector, which is supported by a Culture Action Europe campaign.
