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The Arab Uprisings Lifted Some Restrictions in the Cultural Sphere but Have Also Introduced a New Set of Challenges

• A review of Egypt's cultural and political environment after the January 25, 2011, revolution indicates that red lines have been erased on a number of topics previously considered off limits.
• On the other hand, little has changed in the legal and bureaucratic framework used to make censorship decisions. In addition, artists continue to face organized campaigns against them if they fail to adhere to certain conservative values.
• Egypt's new political authorities have sent mixed signals regarding their positions on artistic freedom. They have allowed greater freedom in discussions of political topics while at the same time bowing to pressure from more conservative groups to rein in artistic work seen as countering social values.

Large Gaps Continue to Plague U.S. Government Efforts in the Cultural Sphere

• Both the Bush and Obama administrations have recognized the importance of enhancing outreach and the impact of Arab voices advocating for tolerance and nonviolence in the Middle East.
• U.S. government efforts to promote artistic expression have not been significantly affected by the Arab uprisings. Programs continue to focus on promoting a positive view of U.S. cultural norms, with less emphasis on supporting regional arts.
• Support for regional artists is scattered throughout the U.S. government, with a lack of strategic focus and organization.
• Ultimately, nongovernmental actors and public-private partnerships will need to take the lead in providing effective support to regional artists.

After decades of authoritarianism, a wave of political change and unrest began to sweep across the Middle East and North Africa in early 2011. Successful democratic transitions will not be easy and will require change in multiple spheres. This report focuses on one sphere whose power and importance is often underestimated: the artistic arena. Regional artists have the potential to positively contribute to democratic transition by shaping public debate in ways that support tolerance and nonviolence. But Arab artists are often squeezed between the bounds of acceptable discourse, set by rulers who fear freedom of expression and conservative societal groups that seek to control acceptable behavior. Although the Arab uprisings lifted some previous barriers to artistic expression, new limitations and challenges have emerged. Moreover, artists continue to lack sound funding models to support their work and face limited markets and distribution mechanisms. This research explores the challenges posed by both the state and society in the region, as well as the policy shifts that may be necessary to better support regional artists. It also suggests new strategies in which regional actors and nongovernmental organizations take leading roles in supporting these artists and their work.

• Chapter One

  Introduction

• Chapter Two

  Impact of the Arab Uprisings on Artistic Freedom: Egypt as a Case Study

• Chapter Three

  U.S. Government Efforts to Support Artists in the Arab World

• Chapter Four

  Nongovernmental Efforts to Engage and Support Artists in the Arab World

• Chapter Five

  Conclusion: New Strategies for Supporting Regional Artists