Fall of Freedom: Creative Protest & Artistic Action
600+ events across 40+ states where artists participate in creative resistance to authoritarianism on November 21-22, 2025.
Fall of Freedom is a nationwide creative protest and artistic action organized by visual artist Dread Scott, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, and other artists in response to cultural suppression concerns. The movement addresses the current climate where arts institutions are experiencing fear and hesitation in programming potentially controversial work due to grant cuts at the National Endowment for the Arts, staff firings at cultural institutions, and government audits of museums.
More than 600 events of all sizes have been announced across more than 40 states, from Alaska to Florida, taking place on November 21-22, 2025. The initiative provides an open-ended framework allowing artists to use their creativity to respond to the current political moment and resist authoritarianism.
The organizers note that while individual artists remain fearless, cultural institutions are making defensive decisions based on anticipatory obedience and fear of government retribution. This has led to canceled exhibitions, unprogrammed plays, and diminished opportunities for artists. Fall of Freedom aims to create collective strength, operating under the principle that "they might be able to pick one or two of us off, but they can't get us all if we all collectively stand together."
The movement draws inspiration from historical examples of art's role in social movements, from Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" in the civil rights era to Picasso's "Guernica" as resistance to fascism. Artists across all disciplines—visual art, theater, music, performance, and more—are encouraged to participate in this nationwide demonstration of creative solidarity and resistance.