Demystifying the Arts | April 14, 2025

When the Arts Are Attacked, Democracy Is at Risk

A Call for Courage in a Time of Crisis

I’m deeply concerned that our democracy is eroding—slowly, but deliberately—under the current federal administration. And if that’s true, we must ask ourselves: What are the warning signs we’ll wish we had paid more attention to? How many red flags will we overlook—or worse, comply with—before resistance is no longer possible?

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This is a time for courage. I call on artists and arts organizations to be bold in their resistance, but I also call on the broader public to stand with them. We must defend individuals and institutions that speak out against injustice, or whose values, identities, or very existence are under attack. And I urge policymakers to do the same—not to remain silent when it matters most.

The arts are not simply a mirror of society. They are a force for truth. In times of censorship and repression, the arts help us see what’s really happening. They give voice to the silenced. They document injustice. They spark change. That is why, throughout history, authoritarian regimes have treated the arts as a threat—and targeted them first.

What can you do? At the end of this piece, you’ll find suggestions for how to take action. But first, we have to ask: How did we get here?

A Pattern We Can't Afford to Ignore

Around the world and throughout history, when authoritarianism rises, the arts are among the first to be attacked. Why? Because creative expression disrupts control. It sparks dissent. It gives people the imagination to see alternatives to the status quo. Repressive governments know this. That’s why they try to erase art that challenges their narrative—and elevate content that reinforces it.

Some of the most chilling examples from history include:

Nazi Germany (1933–1945): Hitler’s regime aggressively controlled the arts, branding modernist, expressionist, and avant-garde works as “degenerate art.” Thousands of artworks were confiscated or destroyed, and many artists were banned from exhibiting. The state promoted a narrowly defined aesthetic focused on nationalism, racial purity, and militarism, even organizing a 1937 “Degenerate Art” exhibition to publicly shame and delegitimize dissident art.
Francoist Spain (1939–1975): General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship suppressed regional languages, music, and literature—particularly Catalan and Basque cultures. Artists and writers who opposed the regime were exiled, imprisoned, or silenced. Censorship permeated all cultural output, including theater, music, and film, which were only permitted if they reinforced the state’s Catholic and nationalist ideology.
China’s Cultural Revolution (1966–1976): Spearheaded by Mao Zedong, the Cultural Revolution decimated China’s intellectual and artistic communities. Universities were shuttered, books were burned, and traditional art forms were condemned as “bourgeois.” Artists, writers, and scholars were publicly humiliated, imprisoned, or killed. Only government-approved “revolutionary” art glorifying Mao and the Communist Party was allowed.
Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge (1975–1979): Pol Pot’s regime sought to erase Cambodia’s intellectual and artistic heritage. Among the estimated 2 million people who perished were countless musicians, dancers, visual artists, and writers. Cultural institutions were dismantled, and nearly all pre-revolutionary art was destroyed, as the regime viewed artists and intellectuals as existential threats to its radical agrarian ideology.

These were not just attacks on culture. They were efforts to control thought, erase dissent, and consolidate power.

And it’s not just history. In the United States today, we’re seeing tactics and threats once used by dictators to silence dissent and shrink the public imagination put into motion once again.

A group of people in vintage attire observe paintings at an art gallery. The black-and-white photo shows several framed artworks on display, with visitors attentively examining them from various angles. — The 1937 exhibit of ENTARTETE KUNST in Munich, featuring paintings of modern artwork declared by the Nazis to be "degenerate" // Still from a film clip accessed at United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Library of Congress

Defending the Arts as a Pillar of Democracy

The suppression of the arts is often one of the first signs of rising authoritarianism. Recognizing these early warning signs can help societies act before repression becomes irreversible. Presently, we are seeing some alarming trends:

Increased Censorship and Content Restrictions: Governments banning books, shutting down exhibitions, and controlling what can be performed in theaters. In Florida, for instance, the state has enacted extensive book bans, targeting works that address race, gender, and LGBTQ+ issues under the guise of "parental rights." Additionally, President Trump’s proposal for a "Golden Age of American Arts and Culture" includes banning drag performances at the Kennedy Center.
Defunding or Closing Arts Institutions: Public funding is being stripped from theaters, museums, and arts organizations that foster free expression. In March 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a key agency for supporting the arts. Then, on April 2, it was reported that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is recommending extreme cuts to staff and programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This follows President Trump’s previous unsuccessful attempts to eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
State-Controlled Cultural Narratives: Regimes funding only state-approved art and restricting independent voices. Earlier this year, President Trump appointed himself as President of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees, firing the president and reshaping the institution’s leadership. This raises concerns about political influence over one of the nation’s most prominent cultural institutions.
Vilification of Artists in State Media: Artists are targeted for subversion, with their work questioned and criticized publicly. President Trump recently condemned painter Sarah Boardman’s portrait of him at the Colorado State Capitol, calling it "purposefully distorted" and implying it was politically motivated.
Surveillance and Harassment of Artists: Governments increasingly track, threaten, or physically harm artists and cultural workers.
Criminalization of Artistic Expression: New laws that classify art as subversive or obscene, leading to arrests and imprisonment of artists.

What’s at Stake

You don’t have to like the art that’s under attack, nor do you need to even be involved in the arts to be invested. But, if you care about democracy, this should matter to you. Because when the government controls what can be written, shared, or expressed—democracy is in danger.

When artists are silenced, so are the truths they tell. When institutions are defunded, so is the public’s access to knowledge, history, and possibility. When governments decide what kinds of stories are “acceptable,” they are not protecting the public—they are manipulating it.

And when creative expression is criminalized, it’s not long before other freedoms follow.

We must also acknowledge this: in its nearly 250-year history, the United States has never fully lived up to the ideals of democracy it proclaims. Black men were denied the right to vote until 1870. White women couldn’t vote until 1920. Black women—systematically disenfranchised—weren’t fully protected until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. And even today, many people with felony convictions or who are incarcerated still cannot vote.

Democracy in America has always been aspirational, never perfect. But that does not mean it’s not worth striving for. In fact, it is precisely because the promise of democracy remains unfulfilled that we must fight to protect it—and recognize that the arts and human expression are essential to that pursuit. I want to acknowledge and thank Joseph Hall, my friend, peer, and the Co-Executive Director of Kelly Strayhorn Theater, for reminding me of that.

The Role of the Arts in Authoritarian Systems

The arts have long been at the forefront of social and political resistance. Work created by artists and presented by arts organizations can expose corruption, challenge propaganda, and serve as a rallying cry for change. In authoritarian settings, where governments seek to control narratives, the arts disrupt and reframe the conversation. Consider the following historical examples:

Black and white image of a woman singing passionately. She holds a microphone in one hand, eyes closed, and wears a patterned blouse and headwrap. — Miriam Makeba's performance of "Soweto Blues," a protest song written by Hugh Masekela, challenged racial segregation in South Africa. // Photo by Paul Weinberg

The Soviet Union (20th Century): Artists and writers such as Anna Akhmatova and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn used literature to reveal the realities of Stalinist repression. Solzhenitsyn’s The Gulag Archipelago exposed the horrors of forced labor camps, fueling global awareness of Soviet atrocities.
Apartheid South Africa (20th Century): Musicians like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela used their art to challenge racial segregation. Makeba’s song Soweto Blues became an anthem of resistance, while artists like William Kentridge used visual storytelling to critique state violence.
Latin America’s Military Dictatorships (1970s-1980s): Chilean folk musician Víctor Jara was brutally murdered by the Pinochet regime for his politically charged songs that supported democracy. Meanwhile, the Madres de Plaza de Mayo in Argentina used public performances and visual symbols to demand justice for the disappeared.
China’s Tiananmen Square Protests (1989): The Tank Man photograph by British photographer Stuart Franklin remains one of the most iconic images of resistance. Artists have continued to depict this moment through visual art and performance pieces, despite heavy censorship.
The Arab Spring (2010s): Graffiti artists in Egypt, such as Ganzeer, transformed public spaces into canvases of dissent, using murals to depict police brutality and the aspirations of revolutionaries.

These examples illustrate how the arts act as both chroniclers and catalysts for change. This work is deeply risky, yet it carries enormous power in mobilizing social change and inspiring movements that defend human rights and dignity.

A Time to Act

Even if you don’t personally feel a strong connection to the arts, recognize that they represent the core values of democracy: freedom of expression, the right to challenge power, and the ability to imagine a better world. Defending artistic freedom isn’t just about protecting individual artists—it’s about safeguarding the principles of democracy itself.

The suppression of creative expression is often one of the first steps in a larger campaign to eliminate free speech, independent thought, and the public’s right to protest.

When authoritarian regimes target the arts, they are sending a signal that broader freedoms are under threat. The suppression of creative expression is often one of the first steps in a larger campaign to eliminate free speech, independent thought, and the public’s right to protest. A society that silences its artists is a society in peril. Conversely, a society that champions the arts affirms its commitment to truth, freedom, and the protection of its citizens' rights.

History has shown us time and time again that when the arts are censored or suppressed, other fundamental freedoms follow—freedom of the press, the right to protest, the ability to engage in open dialogue. Art challenges us to think critically, to question authority, and to resist complacency. It is a pillar of democracy that must be protected at all costs.

Now is the time for us to act. As citizens, artists, policymakers, and community members, we must stand united in defending artistic freedom, because when the arts are free, democracy thrives.

What You Can Do

For Arts Organizations:

This is a time to be bold. Resist in ways that are rooted in your mission, values, and creative voice. Create good trouble—the kind that honors truth and invites dialogue, imagination, and disruption.

Poster on a utility pole reads Protect the Arts in bold letters. — Photo Illustration by Lisa Cunningham

Consider actions such as:

Declare your space a sanctuary for artistic freedom. Libraries and bookstores across the country are publicly affirming their role as safe spaces for banned books—arts organizations can do the same.
Create Mission-Driven Disruptions. Host performances, exhibitions, readings, and screenings that center voices that are being silenced. For example:
- An orchestra presenting work by composers who were banned or imprisoned by authoritarian regimes.
- A gallery curating exhibitions by artists responding to racial injustice, climate change, or censorship.
- A theater commissioning new works from queer and trans playwrights as their rights are under attack.
Model courage in public statements and partnerships: Align your programming with statements of values, and collaborate with organizations committed to social justice.
Resist quietly or boldly—but resist: Whether through curatorial choices, public events, or institutional policy, choose resistance rooted in your mission.

For Supporters of the Arts:

When public funding is under threat, the role of the public’s support becomes more vital than ever. If you believe in freedom of expression and the importance of the arts—now is the time to show it.

Take these steps:

Support the organizations that inspire you: Donate to arts institutions whose mission and work resonate with your values. If public funding disappears, private action must fill the void.
Champion socially engaged artists: Seek out and support artists creating work that speaks to social realities. Buy their work, attend their shows, share their stories.
Be vocal in your advocacy: Speak up online and in your community. Share articles, tag policymakers, and remind others that art matters. Public support helps neutralize political attacks and demonstrates that the arts are not fringe—they are foundational.
Push for policy: Let your representatives know that you care about freedom of expression and public funding for the arts. Call, write, and vote with the arts in mind.
Show up: Attend exhibitions, performances, readings, and protests. Your presence reinforces that this work has meaning and value.

Demystifying the Arts is an arts & culture column from Patrick Fisher, CEO at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. If you have a question or topic you'd like to see addressed in a future column, we'd love to hear from you! Email feedback and ideas to pfisher@pittsburghartscouncil.org.