Documenta 16 adopts IHRA antisemitism definition in new mandatory code of conduct

Documenta's supervisory board has implemented a mandatory code of conduct for its 16th edition, scheduled for 2027 under artistic director Naomi Beckwith. The code incorporates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism and the UN Convention on Racism's definition of racism as binding standards. All employees, exhibitions, and associated third parties must adhere to these principles, with violations subject to disciplinary and labor law measures. The organization commits to opposing antisemitism, racism, and group-related misanthropy while reserving the right to comment on or contextualize artistic expressions conflicting with the code. This decision follows a 2023 German state resolution linking public cultural funding to IHRA definition adherence, which critics like James Bridle argue has been used to silence criticism of Israel. The move comes after Documenta 15, curated by Indonesian collective ruangrupa, faced antisemitism controversies. In May 2024, the supervisory board initially planned to proceed without a conduct code for the artistic director, reversing that stance in December 2023 when chair Sven Schoeller emphasized balancing artistic freedom with human dignity protections.