About

“Extremism refers to the belief that an in-group’s success or survival can never be separated from the need for hostile action against an out-group.”

— J. M. Berger

“The greatest benefit we owe to the artist, whether painter, poet or novelist, is the extension of our sympathies ... Art is the nearest thing to life; it is a mode of amplifying experience and extending our contact ... beyond the bounds of our personal lot.”

— George Eliot

Arts Against Extremism was launched in 2022 to promote art as a means of investigating, understanding and countering extremism.

We publish poetry, flash fiction, short stories and novel excerpts that tackle the subject of extremism – blurring black-and-white narratives and encouraging empathy for those ‘beyond the bounds of our personal lot’ – as well as interviews and essays that consider how art can help to stem the tide of radicalisation.

In the future we will also run webinars and offer counter-extremism writing exercises for creative writing instructors at university, adult education, short course, sixth form and school levels.

Extremism ranks among the most serious challenges facing society today. Our mission is to inspire more writers and readers to engage with its causes and consequences.

We are constantly on the lookout for new voices. Please head over to our Submissions page for more information.