A new plan for culture in Europe

Culture plays a central role in forging our European identity, celebrating diversity and in bringing us all together. It helps strengthen our democracy and resilience and it contributes towards economic growth and competitiveness. Today the Commission has put forward the culture compass for Europe, a plan designed to shape EU cultural policy.

The culture compass will guide EU policy towards an EU that

• upholds and strengthens European values and cultural rights
• empowers artist and cultural professionals
• draws on culture and cultural heritage to become more competitive, resilient and cohesive
• champions international cultural relations and partnerships.

In practice, it will do this by promoting Europe’s many cultural assets. It will also address hurdles hindering the cultural and creative industries such as restrictions on artistic expression, the precarious livelihoods of artists, unequal opportunities, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI).

A new report on the state of culture in the EU will track progress in the cultural and creative sector, with particular emphasis on artistic freedom.

Several new initiatives will also be launched, including

• a new EU Artists Charter for fair working conditions for artists and cultural workers
• a European Prize for Performing Arts
• an EU cultural data hub and a Youth Cultural Ambassadors Network to improve young people's access to culture
• an AI strategy for the cultural and creative sectors
• an update of the EU strategy on international cultural relations

The Commission is now inviting the European Parliament and the Council to sign a joint declaration that will only serve to further strengthen the EU’s political commitment to culture.

For more information

Press release - Commission launches new culture compass for Europe

Questions and answers on a culture compass for Europe

An overview of culture in the EU

Website about culture and creativity in the EU