ARTICLE 19 collaborated on the 2008 ArtVenture Freedom to Create Prize. The prize consisted of three categories which were awarded to the following:

1. Main prize
The main prize was open to individuals and groups working in all the arts. The prize and $50,000 was awarded to Cont Mlanga of Zimbabwe, a leading playwright and critic of the Mugabe regime, for his play The Good President. The two runners up for the main prize who won $15,000 and $10,000 respectively were the Belarus Free Theatre Group and the Pakistani-Norwegian singer Deeyah.

2. Youth prize
The youth prize was open to all artists under the age of 18. The prize and $25,000 was awarded to City of Rhyme, an anti-violence hip-hop group in Brazil.

3. Imprisoned artists prize
The imprisoned artists prize was open to all imprisoned artistss. The prize and $25,000 was awarded to Burmese comic and activist Zarganar. Zarganar was sentenced just days before the award to 45 years in prison for his art. Read ARTICLE 19's statement on Zarganar's detention.

BACKGROUND

The ArtVenture Freedom to Create Prize recognised the ways that artists use their work to defend and promote human rights, including freedom of expression, empathy, equality and understanding.

'Freedom to create' is essential to art, education, technology and growth, and ultimately democracy and development. Governments the world over violate this freedom. They stifle expression, invention, and entrepreneurship, preventing and halting human development.

Artists in particular open our eyes, ears, imagination - all our senses - to our societies and nature, to the horror of war, torture, poverty, racism and violence against women. For these reasons, many artists across the globe are harassed, imprisoned and attacked, and their freedom to create repressed.

PRESS

• BBC: Zimbabwe writer Mhlanga honoured
• New York Times: Critic of Mugabe Wins Art Prize
• Mizzima: Imprisoned Burmese comedian honored
• Launch of New US$100,000 ArtVenture Freedom to Create Prize
• ArtVenture Freedom to Create Prize Media Alert
• Press Launch Keynote Speech by ARTICLE 19

ARTVENTURE:

ArtVenture is a philanthropic organisation which seeks to harness art and culture to improve lives in meaningful ways. For more information, please visit our website at www.ArtVenture.com