The principle underlying the operation of TARO is "artistic freedom” which is universal and contextual. It is important to advocate for artistic freedom and create opportunities for artists to express themselves without restrictions. Artistic freedom is a complex notion that encompasses various rights, such as the right to create and express oneself freely without censorship, interference, or persecution; the right to have one’s work remunerated, supported, and distributed; the rights to freedom of movement and freedom of association; social and economic rights; and the right to participate in cultural life. To ensure the preservation of artistic freedom, it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive approach that takes into account and deals with all the relevant elements. The value of artistic freedom is especially significant amidst the challenges faced by the world, such as geopolitical instability, climate crisis, human displacement, growing inequality, the decline in democratic values, and unregulated technological transformation. However, this reality of poly-crisis currently poses multiple threats to artistic freedom in various countries across the globe, including Tanzania. To achieve artistic freedom, TARO aims to assist artists, focusing on four specific areas:

1. Promotion of Freedom of Artistic Expression

2. Promotion of professionalism in the arts and cultural sector

3. Protection of artists' rights and interests and 

4. Promotion of gender equality within the arts and cultural sector.

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FREEDOM OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

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Artists are interfered to imagine, create, and distribute diverse cultural expressions. Freedom of creation is undermined by censorship, political interference, and existing legal frameworks for the arts and cultural sector. Artists do not have complete freedom to create art that promotes democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and good governance. If artists create artworks with critical, challenging, and provocative expressions towards social, economic, and political spheres, they are likely to face censorship and persecution.  The enjoyment of cultural rights is limited unreasonably. Artists are not free to dive into cultural expression and express the entire human experience. Art highlights our prejudices, our taboos, our unspoken repressions, and our conventionality. Art should not fear challenging the social and political status quo and realities of our time.

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GENDER EQUALITY IN ART INDUSTRY

Women have never been treated equally in the art industry and today they remain dramatically underrepresented and undervalued. Art by women and men is valued differently. The use of art by men is often seen as a way to conduct business, whereas for women, it is considered a tool for empowerment. The legal framework for the arts and cultural sector is gender blind, despite it offers equal rights to women and men, it does not provide equal opportunity for women to access and take control over assets and resources. Associations (more than 15), Federations (3), and related authorities (3) within the arts and cultural sector are not structured internally to accommodate the voices, ideas, and needs of women. The laws established above-mentioned are not gender inclusive. Women's skills, competencies, and experiences are not given significant space. Most women artists have succumbed to gender-based violence and sexual harassment for them to enjoy emerging opportunities in the arts and cultural sector. The perceptions of the public towards the successes of women artists are mostly connected with sexual privileges and not individual efforts. Compared to men, very few women make it to the mainstream industry.

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ARTISTIC RIGHTS AND INTERESTS

The rights of artists, both moral and economic rights are cultural rights protected under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights-ICESCR (1966) as human rights. The United Republic of Tanzania has been a state party to the covenant since 1976. But the rights are underestimated, under-protected, and treated as individual concerns rather than human rights. The misconception has been manifested over the years. It is very expensive to deal with copyright infringement before the court since it requires hiring experts (specialized advocates). Therefore, very few legal disputes are submitted to the courts of law. The current legal framework is outdated and insufficient in protecting artistic rights and interests. Although entrusted authorities are mandated to regulate and monitor copyrights, the procedures to achieve that are unrealistic. All major legislation in the arts and cultural sector was enacted before 2004 without considerable updates. They are unable to address online copyright infringements and piracy in all forms of artistic works due to their incompatibility with current digital technologies like the internet. Poor administration in the art sector, such as non-adherence to laws, bad regulations, and discrimination against artists, is an issue that needs to be addressed.

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PROFESSIONALISM IN ART INDUSTRY

The arts and cultural sector is plagued by unprofessional practices that impede the commercial value and interests of artistic and cultural works. Cultural practitioners, artists, artist associations, and federations lack the skills and knowledge to manage the sector professionally. Most artists are not affiliated with institutions or well-organized. The market for artistic products lacks transparency, making it difficult to regulate and monitor. Legal adherence is still a question for both artists and entrusted government authorities. Professional etiquette and conduct are rarely practiced in the sector. The government doesn't give priority to funds for improving the sector. "The legal framework of the sector is not suitable for commercial purposes, which discourages potential investors. The current data collection system in the sector is inefficient, leading to poor decision-making.

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WHAT WE DO:

TARO has conducted an identification of stakeholders, a needs assessment, and an analysis of gaps to determine the required interventions. To fully address the above scenario, TARO  undertakes various activities which may include but are not limited to:-

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1. Any activity aimed at enhancing artists based on our aforementioned focus areas.

2. Advocacy, awareness campaigns, monitoring, and reporting on Artistic Freedom

3. Advocacy on gender mainstreaming in the arts and cultural sector

4. Preparing and distributing legal position papers analyzing improper practices and laws in the arts and cultural sector for improvements

5. Analysis of the arts and cultural sector’s legal framework and issue recommendations for improvements

6. Creation of educational resources and programming centers for the advancement of laws and business practices in the arts and cultural sector.

7. Initiating virtual and in-person conferences, lectures, workshops, and discussions (dialogues) about law reforms and other matters affecting the art environment 

8. Provision of legal aid to individual artists and related stakeholders

9. Provision of various education training to artists for capacity building such as Copyright, Contract on creative works, art business training, arts entrepreneurship training, digital branding and marketing, digital distribution (internet business) e.t.c

10. Provision of aid for artists at risk who exercised freedom of artistic expression

11. Engaging with international communities and networks to achieve artistic freedom (freedom of artistic expression)

12. Organizing live performances, festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and cultural activities for enhancing arts

13. Engaging in contemporary arts as a cultural activity

14. Organizing art residencies.​

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