Red Room Poetry reaffirms its ongoing and unconditional commitment to freedom of expression. We are deeply concerned by the recent surge of censorship within the Australian arts sector, driven by political considerations. This trend undermines the essential role of artistic expression in fostering self-understanding, empathy, and critical social reflection.
We believe creators must be protected from external interference and that their work should be valued and treated with respect. The chilling implications of political vetting, particularly for artists and organisations reliant on government support, are profound.
We believe in the power of poetry to foster solidarity and change, and respond directly to an ever-evolving and challenging world.
We reaffirm our commitment to delivering project work that centres relationships built on trust, collaboration and continuous learning. Our commitment to amplifying marginalised and underrepresented voices and their communities ripples through our work, guided by our First Nations Wisdom Circle, our Truth and Reconciliation Pledge, partnerships and the poets we work with.
Red Room Poetry calls for a firm commitment to freedom of expression within all cultural institutions. We urge organisations to uphold independent selection processes and to resist the suppression of diverse voices. To foster a vibrant cultural landscape, we must prioritise open dialogue and the presentation of varied perspectives, rather than resorting to censorship. We stand for the rights of artists to create and express their lived experience on their terms.