The Creative Asia Foundation – Advocacy Policy (2023)

 

Scope

This policy delineates the guidelines for the involvement of the Creative Asia Foundation (the Foundation) in advocacy. The Foundation aims to address matters in the public domain that are of concern to its members. In pursuit of this goal, the Foundation seeks to foster productive working relationships between members, provide a forum for information exchange, and engage in coordinated action.

 

Objectives

The Foundation recognises that its members have a diverse set of interests, philosophies, backgrounds, and beliefs. Foundation members share a commitment to:

• Advocate for the enrichment of art and art history scholarship.

• Promote the study of the history of art and the visual arts.

• Support the visual arts and humanities more broadly.

• Promote professional ethics and standards in the scholarship of art.

• Address issues that may arise for members in their various workplace environments.

 

Accordingly, the Foundation's interests necessarily focus on a particular set of issues, including:

• Government funding for the arts and humanities.

• Freedom of expression and censorship.

• Promoting and developing the disciplines of art and art history within education at all levels.

• Conditions in universities, museums, galleries, and other workplace environments of the Foundation members.

• Promotion of the activities of the Foundation and its members.

 

From time to time, the Foundation may supplement or modify the objectives outlined above to meet broadly supported interests or needs of its members. Any such changes require the approval of the Executive Committee.

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The Foundation’s Involvement As resources permit, the Foundation monitors policy developments and advocacy efforts relating to the issues outlined above. The Foundation may choose to become directly involved in:

• Issues such as support for national, state, or regional cultural agencies and issues affecting arts policy and funding.

• Developments that affect specific institutions or individuals but have a national profile or would establish an important precedent, such as those that threaten art and arts-related institutions.

 

The Foundation may become directly involved in these issues and developments by:

• Lending its name by way of endorsement and support. Writing letters.

• Contacting the press, advocating to governments and their agencies.

• Publishing and promoting materials online.

• Developing working partnerships with related peak bodies in the cultural sector.

• Motivating and coordinating grassroots action by its members.

• Providing professional development opportunities, particularly for early career researchers.

• The nature, timing, and degree of the Foundation’s involvement will vary depending on the matter and issue, and available resources.

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In connection with any advocacy matters, individual members of the Foundation may not suggest that they are speaking for or on behalf of the Foundation unless specifically authorised to do so by the President or the Executive Committee. The President may speak on behalf of members without seeking permission but under normal circumstances will consult with members of the Executive Committee before doing so.

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To ensure that Foundation members understand the Foundation policies and involvement, are committed to the Foundation objectives, and have the information needed to be effective advocates, the Foundation will post advocacy alerts, advocacy updates, and other information for member advocacy activities (such as contacting elected officials) to the Foundation website.