Arts & Culture debate motions (page 2)

Page 2 of 3: 200 more arts & culture motions, covering 2014 to 2021. Start at the newest arts & culture motions, or search the whole bank from the motion explorer.

2021 (6 motions)

THW replace direct state funding for the arts with the regular distribution of culture vouchers
Imperial Pro Am · 2
Info slide
A culture voucher is a token that can be reimbursed for various cultural activities (e.g. theatre tickets, gallery entrance fees) up to a fixed monetary value. At the point of the use, the state pays the relevant cost of the cultural activity for which the voucher was reimbursed. These tokens are not currently issued in the status quo.
THR the prevalence of localized forms of English (e.g. Singlish, Spanglish, Manglish)
LSE Pro Ams · 2
THBT the life of the 'visual' is preferable to that of the 'main vocalist' in a popular Kpop group.
UNSW IV Online · 2
Info slide
CHALLENGE: You will lose one speaker point if you do not include a rhyme (like a rhyming couplet or a limerick) in the intro of your speech. INFO SLIDE: Kpop idol groups tend to designate specific roles to individual members which align with their strengths. Typically the main vocalist is the most talented/well-trained singer and gets more lines. Visuals are usually the most attractive member, and often feature predominantly in the group's brand and promotions.
The hour regrets the mbokodo narrative
Uhuru Worlds · Open_Semi
Info slide
Mbokodo is a Nguni term for a rock. Over the course of history, the slogan "You strike a womxn, you strike a rock" has been used to expressed the resilience and strength of womxn, eventually leading to the coining of the term mbokodo as reference to womxn. It alludes to womxn being as solid as rocks.
THR the rise of abstract art
Doxbridge Worlds · 1b
THR the risse of cosmopolitan culture
Doxbridge Worlds · 6b
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Cosmopolitanism is an ideology that focuses on an individual's identity being connected to the global community.

2020 (59 motions)

THW stop writing the novel
Parassat Open · 2
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You are a writer working on a highly dramatic novel, with its own fictional world, vastly different from ours. This is your last book, and you believe it will be the best piece you've ever written. Mid-way through writing, your main character suddenly comes to life in the real world exactly how you envisioned them in the novel. You discover that if you continue writing, you will be able to alter the characteristics and skills of this new real-life person. If you stop writing, however, the person will still continue living, but the only way for them to adapt to the real world will be through their own experience.
THR the existence of high fashion
Eastern Online IV · 5
THR the societal belief that one should strongly identify with the culture of one's ancestry (e.g. if you are ethnically Chinese, identifying strongly with Chinese culture)
Tilbury House Online Open 2020 · Open_Quarters
THS the rise of escapist media and art
Circuit Breaker Debate Open · 2
THW grant all nation states the right to veto any transfer, out of their country, of art which is deemed to be cultural heritage
Astana Debate Union Online 2020 · 4
THBT western museums should return historical artifacts to the nations where they originated.
Astana Debate Union Open 2020 · 2
THR cancel culture
The Grand Spar June · 3
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Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Generally discussed as being performed on social media in the context of group shaming
TH, as Christians, regrets the rise of popular mainstream artists co-opting Gospel themes in their works (i.e. Kanye West Jesus is King)
Debate for Donation Open · 2
THP a world where humans cannot perceive aesthetic beauty
Helsinki Open · Open_Final
THO the demonization of dark humour / comedy
Borneo Online Debate Championship · 4
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Broadly, dark comedy, dark humour, or gallows humour, is a style of comedy that makes light of subject matter generally considered taboo, particularly serious or painful to discuss
THS the destruction of monuments of controversial historical figures.
India Debate Open AP 2020 · 1
TH, as Mowgli W stay in the jungle
India Debate Open AP 2020 · 3
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Mowgli is a young boy who grew among the wolves in the forest, learned the animal ways, aquired animal friends and killed his old enemy - Sher Khan - the tiger who was the horror of the jungle. Mowgli has never met other humans until one day he followed a girl to her village of human beings nearby.
THBT Ezra Miller should drop out of the role for future movies in the series
India Debate Open AP 2020 · 3
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Ezra Miller is a queer actor who has acted in the series "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them", written by J.K. Rowling, who has recently come under fire for her trans-exclusionary comments.
THR the rise of Nihilism in popular culture
The Debate Open · Open_Semi
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Nihilism has two components. First, it is an belief that life has no intrinsic purpose or meaning. Second, it involves a cynical attitude towards life- distrust towards those who seem naively optimistic and/or idealistic. Examples of nihilistic themes in popular culture include Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman, and The Joker
That we, as original producers of non-Western films, would deny Hollywood the right to produce remakes, unless a quota for non-Western actors/actresses is guaranteed.
Monash Australs 2020 · Open_Double
That we prefer transformative to curatorial fandom
Monash Australs 2020 · Open_Double
Info slide
Curatorial fandom involves the collection and curation of information about an original work, with a focus on preserving and memorialising details of the work in its original form - for example, through ranking characters or episodes in a series. Transformative fandom involves the transformation of the original work into new forms, with a focus on finding better ways to relate to the work as an individual - for example, through fan art or fan fiction.
As a curator of a prominent museum or gallery, you should only display works created by women
Jurassic IV 2020 · Open_Quarters
That one should not offer to 'give exposure' to gain discounted goods or services from creatives.
Cinnamon Scroll 2020 · 1
THW grant Indigenous communities exclusive legal rights to control distribution of traditional folklore, music, dance
Indian Womxn's Debating Championship 2020 · 2
THR the humanisation of villains in film and media (eg Joker, Maleficient, Gru, Megamind, etc)
Link Bate Championship III · Open_Quarter
THBT tourists should boycott Indigenous tourist destinations
Saskatoon WSDC 2020 · Open_Semi
Info slide
Indigenous tourist destinations are sites which showcase indigenous cultures or ways of life as tourist attractions. Many of these sites were previously home to indigenous communities. These sites may be owned and operated by governments or private corporations. Indigenous people are usually hired as guides or are shop owners. E.g. the Mursi in Ethiopia and the Padaung People in Northern Thailand
THR the romanticisation of Dark Tourism
The Novice Debate · 4
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Dark tourism involves travelling to places historically associated with death and tragedy including but not limited to war zones, disaster areas and sites of massacre or assassination. Examples of places subject to dark tourism are the Cambodian Killing Fields, Auchwitz Concentration Camps, Peace Park in Hiroshima, and Chernobyl.
Assuming the technology exists, THS the use of non-sentient artifical intelligence that imitates deceased loved ones in appearance, personality, and mannerism
East Coast Asians · Open_Final
THBT artists should refrain from actively and openly interpreting their own art
Taiwan Online Debate Open · 1
THBT Asian immigrants to Western countries should assimilate in the culture of their host country even at the expense of losing their original culture
Taiwan Online Debate Open · 2
That curricula in post-colonial states should focus on locally-authored literature, to the absolute exclusion of 'great work' such as Shakespeare.
Karachi Debate Open · 3
THR the romanticisation of art that is pursued for non material gain
BDC Pre-Worlds 2020 · 4
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Art that is pursued for non-material gain implies artists creating art (paintings, animations, books etc) without the expectations of accumulating wealth or for monetary compensation
THBT staging live action remakes has done more harm than good to disney's artistic legacy
ILNU Pre UADC · 3
THW legalise grafitti
ILNU Pre UADC · 3
THR the rise of Kpop culture
Mindanao IV · 2
THR the glorification of suffering in art
Kinnaird College Debating Championship · 2
THR the westernization of hallyu
KIDA Open · 1
Info slide
Hallyu refers to the increase in the global popularity of South Korean culture, such as K-drama and K-pop. Westernization refers to the usage of traditional Western entertainment entertainments, such as English dialogue, references to Western locations, collaborating with Western artists.
THW require all art institutions to dedicate a significant portion of funding to commissioning art from new artists
Doxbridge III · ESL_Quarter
THR the romantization of orphan's life in popular media (i.e. Harry Potter, Naruto, Disney Princesses)
JOVED · 5
THS the monetisation of all derivative fanworks
Luzon Intervarsity XII · Novice_Semi
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Derivative works refer to when amateur artists borrow pre-existing characters and settings to create a new story, which can then be sold. The main settings of distribution are at large fan conventions. This would be akin to writing Harry Potter fanfiction then selling it at a Harry Potter Convention. In the case of Japan, this is in violation of copyright law but it is rarely enforced.
THR the romanticization of villains and antiheroes/antiheroines in literature, movies, and other pop culture artifacts (eg. Joker in Batman; Thanos in Avengers; Don Juan etc)
JPDU Autumn Tournament · Rookie_Final
THBT art museums should not hold reserve collections larger than 20% of total volume of collection
DAV Debate Open · 5
THW recognise a culture defense
DAV Debate Open · Open_Semi
Info slide
A "cultural defence" is a defence used by the accused in a criminal action, whereby the accused would be able to negate or mitigate criminal responsibility, if acts are committed under a reasonable good-faith belief based on the accused individual's cultural heritage or tradition. An example includes the case of Fumiko Kimura, a Japanese woman who killed her two children before attempting suicide. She entered a plea for a reduced sentence on the basis that in her culture, leaving children behind with no mother was considered worse than death.
THO the insertion of Artificial Intelligence into the fields of art and creativity
WDF Genders Debate · Open_Final
THBT Disney should remove from circulation cartoons from its history that contain racist caricatures
St Cats Debate Tournament · 3
THO the copyright protection of art
The Contemplative Dialogue Tournament · Open_Semi
This House regrets the capitalization of misery as the main theme in artworks (including but not limited to: Pilu Membiru Experience)
Alsa Ecomp UI · HighSchool_4
THO the narrative that experiencing the original version of a work of art is unique to the appreciation of that work.
USUDC · 4
THW grant places (cities, states etc.) image rights over their representation in commercial works.
USUDC · Open_Quarter
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Image rights are the authority to license who and how an image is used, and the ability to negotiate fees for it's portrayal
THW touch the stone
Europe Queer Open · 3
Info slide
You have come across a philosopher's stone that, when touched, will give you permanent insight into the political truth about the world. This includes but is not limited to knowledge about all """"shadow rulers"""", the truth about all conspiracy theories, power relations in the world, and so on. All information on a given political topic comes by association when said topic is brought to one's attention (e.g. by a news report, actively choosing to think about a topic). Only you can touch the stone. The insight ability you will get is irrevocable.
THBT artists should have full ownership of their masters
Wolce's Pre Asians · 1
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A "master" is the jargon used to refer to the underlying rights to a song. Literally, the "master recording" is the original version from which everything else stems. A CD, a stream on Spotify, an appearance on a movie soundtrack, being released publicly at all — all of those are licensed by the holder of the master rights. This also means that the holder of the master has control over the financial gains from the recordings as well. Usually the record label owns the masters of their artists; but in exchange for signing over the master rights to their recordings, artists are often given an advance and a royalty percentage from all profits made off the music.
THR the trend in art that normalises the consumption of vices (e.g. drinking alcohol, consuming drugs, etc.) as a coping mechanism for millennials
Wolce's Pre Asians · 1
THW require all public museums to digitise their collections
Wolce's Pre Asians · 3
TH celebrates the rise of sexually-explicit expressions by female artists in mainstream pop music (including but not limited to "WAP")
Wolce's Pre Asians · Open_Quarter
TH celebrates the causalty of nihilism in discourse
Wolce's Pre Asians · Open_Final
Info slide
for the purposes of this debate, "casualty of nihilism" (think Nietzsche!) refers to the activity of thinking about and acquainting self with meaninglessness and impending death. This is different with suicide ideation (which is usually a desire to die), but instead a process of philosophically understanding and delving into the nature of dying.
THR the normalisation of mediocrity culture
Wolce's Pre Asians · Open_Final
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Mediocrity culture is the glorification that it's okay not to succeed or do well (ie contenting one's self with being or average or settling with a certificate of participation)
THBT states should not fund art that is inaccessible to the average citizen.
LUMS Pre-ABP Online 2020 · 3
TH, as an up and coming African American rap artist, would prioritise putting out content with themes of African American struggles rather than content with themes of the boujie lifestyle
UMSU Online Open · Open_Quarter
TH welcomes "Minds"
III Rio Sao Paolo · 3
Info slide
Minds" is a free technology that can reproduce, based on written works, the exact thinking of an author in interactions with augmented reality with users. With this technology, participants can chat directly with the writers of those works and to the same extent the author also lives and absorbs his interaction with the user. However, even after contact, the author returns to his initial mental vision and nothing is changed in the work in question. The age ratings for the experience vary depending on your works, respecting the age rating of each one, but there are no works prohibited from being executed within this program
TH celebrates the predominance of Macondism in the construction of Latin American identity
III Rio Sao Paolo · 5
TH regrets the commercial resignification of Historical Heritage
III Rio Sao Paolo · Open_Final
THBT schools should prioritise modern popular literature over classics
Virtual Vancouver WSDC:Caribou · 2
This house regrets hip-hop becoming mainstream
Lund Open 2020 · 1
THBT art and media should not be subject to any forms of censorship
USC IV · 2

2019 (16 motions)

This House regrets the increasing presence of nihilism in popular culture (eg. BoJack Horseman, Rick and Morty, Nihilist Memes etc.)
The PES Debate Open · 5
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Nihilism is the philosophical viewpoint which holds that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. Motion: Thi
Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. Motion: This house believes that "Dulce et Decorum Est pro Patria Mori" (i.e. the belief that it is sweet and right to die for your country)
Leiden Open 2019 · Open_Final
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Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of disappointed shells that dropped behind. Gas! GAS! Quick, boys! — An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime. — Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams before my helpless sight He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin, If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dul
This house regrets the decline of the humanities in higher education. Information Slide: In academic settings, "the humanities" is contrasted with the study of natural sciences, social sciences, and professional training. Core fields in the humanities include: literature, philosophy, history, religion, art, etc.
HWS Round Robin 2019 · 1
TH as an artist would prefer to be self-taught rather than classically trained
Seattle IV 2019 · 5
THBT states should not publicly subsidize the production or display of art.
Northams 2019 · 5
This House regrets the decline of the humanities in higher education.
HWS Round Robin 2019 · 1
Info slide
In academic settings, "the humanities" is contrasted with the study of natural sciences, social sciences, and professional trainings. Core fields in the humanities include: literature, philosophy, history, religion, art.
THO artwork that humanizes pro-regime germans during the Second World War
Tilbury House Cologne Open 2019 · Open_Final
In areas where minorities face significant barriers to traditional representation of their culture, THS ethnic majority artists who focus their work around minority culture's appreciation.
Poznan Open 2019 · 1
TH CELEBRATES NO NUT NOVEMBER (NNN)
All-Nigeria Universities Debate Championship 2019 · 5
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o nut November is a humorous internet challenge where men give up busting a nut whether via masturbation (fap) or intercourse for the entire month of November.
THS "Cancel Culture"
Bard IV · 2
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"Cancel Culture" refers to a form of boycott wherein a public figure is deemed "cancelled" following a statement or action deemed problematic.Typically, "cancel culture" does not outline a path for restoration for that public figure.
THW limit copyright terms for works of art (including fine art, music, film, literature, etc.) to the original artist's lifespan
Bard IV · 4
Info slide
A "copyright term" is the length of time copyright laws apply to a given work, after which that work enters the public domain and can be reproduced by anyone. While many countries have limits on the length of copyright terms, some, including the United States, allow people/companies to petition to extend their length.
THW create special intellectual property rights of indefinite duration for the traditional knowledge and culture of indigenous peoples (e.g. gurana berry processing for the Gurani people of South America; ka mate haka for Ngati Toa; dot paintings for the Papunya Tula people in Australia).
Joynt Scroll 2019 · Open_Semi
THBT the Academy Awards should remove language requirements in the selection process for Best International Feature Film.
Philippines National Debate Championship 2019 · 2
Info slide
To qualify for the Best International Feature Film, at least 50 percent of the film's dialogue must be in a language other than English.
THR cartoon characters who have traditionally been white being re-imagined to have a different ethnicity.
9th Zamboanga Debate Open · HighSchool_Final
THBT the LGBT movement should oppose popular artists "Queerbaiting" with their own sexuality
JPDU Spring Tournament · 2
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Queerbaiting refers to authors, writers, or artists attempting to attract LGBT audiences by suggesting queerness or same-sex relationship between characters. Recently, popular artists such as Ariana Grande have been creating music and music video that suggest their queerness while they have chosen not to discuss their sexuality or have stated they are heterosexual.
In art and popular culture, This House Believes That creating new lead characters for minorities (e.g. Hancock, Black Panther) is better than recasting them in existing roles already played by other actors/communities (Ghost Busters, Little Mermaid…)
WSDC 2019 · Round 3 (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

2018 (22 motions)

This house would limit the amount of time that a museum can display a given piece of art to 3 months out of every 10 year period, rather than allow museums to display their works as long as they choose.
Mexico WUDC 2018 · 4
Info slide
The art that you see in a museum typically comes from one of the following sources: i) that museum's permament collection that's always on display, ii) that museum's permament collection that is mostly kept in storage and may occasionally be displayed (the largest museums usually display as little as 5% of their collections); iii) pieces lent to that museum on a temporary basis by another museum iv) pieces donated or lent by private individuals or institutions.
THW punish natural or legal persons who are accused of cultural appropriation
1st Copa Leones de Debate (CLD) at University of Guadalajara · 6
Info slide
Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of cultural elements of a minority by one or several people outside of that culture, with different purposes for which they were created // Motion: THW
This House Believes That Artists should not participate in the ongoing interpretation of their art.
Novi Sad EUDC 2018 · 8
TH supports the symbolized popularization of painful historical events in modern pop culture.
All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship (ANUDC), University of Ilorin 2018 · 1
Info slide
Shaku Shaku is a popular Nigerian dance with intricate and leg gestures which involves throwing and binding one's arms forward and backward (with accompanying leg arc movements). This move noticeably mimics the fettered slave movements of the slavery era. Motion : TH
This House Would Not Consume The Art of People Who Have Engaged in Gravely Unethical Behavior
Hart House Inter-Varsity 2018 · 1
THBT state subsidization of art should be distributed through a random lottery
McGill Central Novice Championship · 3
TH regrets art that glorifies gaining material wealth
Brandeis IV · Open_Semis
TH, as an indvidual, W not consume works produced by immoral artists
Seattle IV 2017 · 5
THS the rise of computational creativity (Infoslide: Computational Creativity' is a scientific field researching AI models that simulate or replicate human creativity. Projects in the field include but are not limited to using AI to script films, compose music, write poetry, and paint).
Cambridge IV 2018 · 4
THR the depiction of the everyday life of people with disabilities as inspirational.
Oxford IV 2018 · 4
In post-conflict societies, TH prefers the creation of art with an inspirational and unifying message over art that depicts the prior or current suffering.
Seattle IV 2018 · Open_Semis
TH regrets the romanticisation of art that is pursued for non-material gain (e.g. glorifying the 'Starving Artist')
Birmingham IV 2018 · 2
This house welcomes the production of art by artificial intelligence
Western Regionals 2018 · 2
Info slide
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is capable of producing images, music, and poetry that is nearly indistinguishable from work produced by humans. In one study, a majority of participants thought that images produced by A.I. were more novel, complex, and inspiring.
When restoring works of art, this House would restore to appear as close as possible to how they appeared when they were originally produced, rather than appeal to contemporary aesthetic tastes
Northams 2018 · 5
THW anonymize the funding, display, and sale of art
Shanghai International Debate Open · 2
THR the glorification of hard work
Shanghai International Debate Open · Open_Final
TH regrets commercialization of counter-cultural or oppositional sub-genres of music
USC IV 2018 · Novice_Final
THR the self-commercialisation of indigenous culture. (For example, Maori "village tours", Aboriginal art fairs, and Native American casinos).
KCL Open 2018 · 3
THBT galleries and media outlets should not show content that is "of the time" but now considered offensive (e.g. racist stereotypes in the Simpsons, homophobic works of art).
New Zealand BP Debating Championships 2018 · Open_Semi
TH prefers a world where all art is anonymous.
Luzon Intervarsity 2018 · 5
In response to Orientalism in Western academe, THS the use of Occidentalist frameworks by non Western academic circles
Philippines Intervarsity Debating Championship 2018 · Novice_Final
Info slide
Orientalism is the representation of Asia in a stereotyped way that is regarded as embodying a colonialist attitude. Occidentalism is the countermovement to Orientalism where the East assigns stereotypes to the West.
This House Regrets the rise of call-out culture
WSDC 2018 · Round 8 (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

2017 (17 motions)

This House regrets the glamorization of start-up culture that encourages people to start their own companies rather than pursue traditional career paths
Dutch WUDC 2017 · 8
THR the commodification of indigenous art
GWU Eastern Championships 2017 · 3
THBT Mexico should pull out of NAFTA
Empire Debates · 3
This house regrets the shift in focus within the academic study of history from studying great figures and institutions to studying cultural forces and the experiences of ordinary people.
HWS Round Robin · 3
This House Believes That Israel Should Fine Actors Who Refuse To Perform In Settlements
PEP IV 2017 · 2
Info slide
All theaters in Israel receive huge governmental subsidies. Theater companies are required to tour the entire country. Motion: Thi
TH, as Arturo di Modica, would discontinue the loan of the Charging Bull to New York City
Trinity Open · 4
TH, as a theatre, would refuse to run the film "Dragonfly Eyes."
Brad Smith Debate Tournament · 3
Info slide
Dragonfly Eyes is a film made by Chinese filmmaker Xu Bing, compiled from over 10,000 hours of public domain Chinese surveillance footage, combined with voiceover work. Motion: TH,
THR the rise of "global" languages like English
Brad Smith Debate Tournament · 5
This house regrets the development of mass tourism at world heritage sites
Hart House IV 2017 · 4
THW Legalize Graffiti
Huber Debates · 4
THBT cultural appropriation is a good thing
Penguin Invitational at Dominican University · 6
TH, as a progressive individual, would not consume the works of artists who have committed or been accused of serious crimes.
Newcastle IV 2017 · 3
THBT the state should only fund artworks that promote socially desirable values (e.g. multiculturalism, equality)
Guangdong Debate Challenge 2017 · 5
THS granting legal personality to rivers and lakes - Semi Final 1
NZ Easters 2017 · Open_Semis
THW not allow authors to copyright characters or worlds that they have created - Grand Final
NZ Easters 2017 · Open_Final
THR the rise of "Sharing Culture"
Tallin EUDC 2017 · 3
Info slide
"Sharing Culture" (a culture which encourages the frequent posting of both mundane and intimate details of ones life on social media platforms, and the commenting on and reacting to others posts of this nature)
This House Believes That states should be able to prioritize asylum seekers on the basis of cultural similarity with the existing population.
WSDC 2017 · Round 8 (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

2016 (26 motions)

THW prohibit private ownership of art deemed to be culturally or historically significant
Thessaloniki WUDC 2016 · 2
THBT the creation of feminist icons and their cults of personality are good for the feminist movement
Thessaloniki WUDC 2016 · 8
THBT non-western countries who were once colonized, when fabricating the material culture of national identity (anthems, street names, holidays, flag, etc.) should privilege pre colonial history and notions of indigeneity over themes of anti colonial resistance.
Thessaloniki WUDC 2016 · Open_Semis
This House Would Not Provide State Funding for Art Based Higher Education, eg. art, music, drama.
London Pro-Am · 1
THS Chris Rock's continued commitment to host the Oscars
NorthAms · 2
THW actively reward the use of Hiberno-English in schoolwork and examinations.
Trinity Women's Open · 1
THBT government authorities, being the police, should preserve illegal art as evidence for prosecution of the artists responsible.
Warwick IV · 1
Assuming there are actors who fit the criteria: THIS HOUSE BELIEVES That film directors have a moral obligation to cast actors who share key lived experiences with the characters they play.
LSE Open · 3
Your 'one true soulmate' exists. There is a test that allows you to determine whether someone is your one true soulmate. You are in love with the person you have been dating for a while. THW take the test to determine whether the person you are in love with is your 'soulmate'
Swansea Open · Final
TH would prefer the reclamation of disputed monuments (e.g. the Rhodes Status at Oxford, Voertrekker Monuments in South Africa, Yakusuni Shrine in Japan, etc.) to their destruction.
North American Women's (@ Hart House) · 4
This House believes that the music press should publish unrepresentatively negative reviews of the music of artists whose conduct they view as reprehensible
Nottingham Open · 2
This House believes that the British Museum should give all artifacts to the nations where they originated
Nottingham Open · Open_Semi
THBT film studios should seek to select racially diverse casts when converting books into films even if it differs from the original character descriptions.
UCL Clifford Chance IV 2016 · 4
THB that artists from dominant cultural groups should not seek to portray minority cultures.
Helsinki Open 2016 · 2
THBT the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra should regularly play the works of Richard Wagner
Warsaw EUDC 2016 · 5
Info slide
Richard Wagner was a 19th century anti-semitic German composer. His music was favoured by the Nazis and played at the Nuremburg rallies, and reportedly at Nazi death camps. When Wagner's music was played in Israel, it lead to protests and it remains controversial. Motion: THB
THBT governments should strictly regulate construction and renovation in order to preserve historical architecture (buildings, parks, public spaces etc).
Istanbul Meridyen Debating Academy · 1
THS the continued consumption of old novels and films that endorse- even tacitly- the beliefs that today would be considered bigoted
HWS IV 2016 · 2
THR the inculcation of national identity through shared rituals (eg national ceremonies, anthems, pledges of allegiance, etc)
HWS IV 2016 · Open_Semis
THW stop playing "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Aztec Invitational 2016 · 3
THS the destruction of historical artifacts seen to glorify atrocities.
The QUB Open · Novice_Final
Info slide
Context slide about the movement to destroy Hitler house and Rhodes must fall.
THB that all museums, galleries, and cultural institutions should offer to return exhibits to their countries/communities of origin.
Yale IV · 5
This house regrets Disney's use of indigenous characters and settings in their films
Birmingham IV · 1
Info slide
Disney's use of indigenous characters and settings in films like "Pocahontas", "Moana," and "Raya and the Last Dragon" has been both praised for attempts at cultural representation and criticized for simplification, historical inaccuracies, and potential cultural appropriation.
THR that cultural identities and practices are primarily bound to racial heritage- Semi Final 2
NZ Easters 2016 · Open_Semis
TH, as an university, would take down statues of controversial figures
Seattle IV 2016 · 5
THW ban works of art that glorify criminality
Chittagong University IV 2016 · 1
This House Believes That major film and television awards shows should abolish awards categories separated by gender
WSDC 2016 · Round 2 (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

2015 (33 motions)

TH regrets the rise of art that celebrates gaining material wealth
Malaysia WUDC 2015 · Masters_1
THBT minority artists should create street art and other art in public spaces rather than art intended for display in galleries and traditional artistic venues.
NorthAms (@ NYU) · 4
THW ban Zwarte Piet (Black Pete)
Rotterdam Open · 3
THBT States Should Destroy All Contemporary Works of Art (including but not limited to music, films and paintings) Created by Artists Convicted of Heinous Crimes.
AIB Trinity IV 2015 · 4
THBT Western States Should Ban Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
AIB Trinity IV 2015 · Open_Final
THBT the NAACP should publicly condemn white artists who appropriate black culture
DWF Manchester IV · 2
TH, as an up and coming female artist, would publically decline a leading role in a Roman Polanski film (with info slide)
DWF Manchester IV · Open_Quarters
THR the success of white artists who co-opt minority dominated music subcultures (e.g. Rap, jazz, hip-hop, etc.)
NAUDC (@ Ithaca College) · 5
THR "True Crime" entertainment. (e.g. Making a Murderer, American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson, Serial, etc.)
NAUDC (@ Ithaca College) · Open_Finals
THW posthumously strip Kevin Carter of the Pulitzer Prize
National Maidens · 4
THR the creation of the Western canon
Vidzeme Open · Open_Semis
TH regrets the rise of the certified artist (as certified through official art schools, degrees, or programmes
Cape Town Open · 3
THW ban the display of art created with the intented purpose or reasonably likely outcome of creating offence
Helsinki Open · 2
Info slide
Piss Christ is a photograph by the American artist Andres Serrano. It depicts a small plastic crucifix submerged in a glass of the artist´s urine. The artist claims that Piss Christ was not intended to offend, but that it alludes to the commercialization of Christian icons.
THBT newlyweds should take a Rumspringa after one year of marriage
Sabanci University International Debate Open · 6
THW produce a telenovella about Ataturk's life that seeks to glorify Kemalism
Sabanci University International Debate Open · Open_Final
THW, as Japan, ban geishas.
Tech Open 2019 · Open_Final
Info slide
A geisha is a traditional Japanese female entertainer, whose talents include dancing and playing classic Japanese music. Their training as hostesses includes substantial flattery to the client. Despite the confusion among non-Japanese, and for the purposes of this debate, geishas do not supply sexual services to their clients.
THW tax low-brow entertainment (e.g WWE wrestling, Keeping Up with The Kardashians, mainstream popular music) in order to subsidise high-brow art (e.g. Shakespeare, Bach, some arthouse film)
BBU Open 2015 · 3
THW heavily subsidize art that glorifies the working class.
EuroDebate 2015 · 1
THW grant artists a percentage of the resale value of their artwork (the amount the art is sold on for if and when the initial inquirer decides to sell it on
UCT 150th Year Open · 4
THW prefer a world in which all art were anonymous over a world where it were always attributed to the artist.
Rijeka Open · 4
TH believes that parents of a musical child genius have a moral obligation to push that child to maximise their musical potential.
Vienna EUDC 2015 · ESL_Final
THW legalize graffiti in public spaces
Yale IV · Open_Semis
THS the July 2015 decision of the UK government to deny a visa to Tyler the Creator
UCD IV · 2
THBT treasure hunters should have possession of any artefacts they find
Hart House IV · Open_Semis
THW introduce a tax on "low brow" entertainment in order to subsidise "high brow" art.
KCL IV · 3
Deaf culture is the set of social beliefs, behaviours, art, literary traditions, history, values and shared institutions of communities that are influenced by deafness and which use sign languages as the main means of communication. As a hearing parent of a deaf child, THW choose to mainstream your child to the exclusion of participation in deaf culture.
HWS Fall Classic · 4
THW prefer a world in which there are no extreme emotions such as boiling rage, falling madly in love, extreme grief etc
SOAS IV · Open_Final
THBT after 50 years of ownership the state should have the right to repossess all works of painting or sculpture for the purpose of public display
Oxford IV · Open_Semis
THBT social disgust is sufficient justification for censoring art.
Cambridge Women's Open · 2
THR the Rise of the Rom-Com Genre.
Cambridge Women's Open · Open_Final
THR the Negative Connotations Surrounding Creating Art for the Primary Purpose of Profit.
SSE Riga IV · Open_Partial_Quarters
You are an incredibly respected art critic. You own a private art gallery which the rich, famous, and influential fly from around the world to visit. Recently a photograph has come to prominence among elite art circles, and as a consequence has become incredibly sought after - hailed for its gritty realism. It is a graphic photograph of a woman killed and raped by her husband, taken by police as evidence. You have been offered the original photograph for your collection. This house would refuse
Joynt Scroll 2015 · 5
This House Would not consume art created by people who have committed deeply immoral acts
WSDC 2015 · Round 4 (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

2014 (21 motions)

TH regrets the commodification of indigenous cultures
Chennai WUDC 2014 · 9
THW stop state funding of the arts
Paris V · 1.1
THW always choose style over substance
Paris V · 3.1
Dutch athletes should boycott the Sochi Winter Olympics
Brabants Debattoernooi · Open_Semi_2
THBT comedians who cross the line of public offence do more harm than good
York IV · Open_Final
THBT art depicting historical atrocities should depict them in their full brutality.
NorthAms (@ Carleton University) · 3
TH supports public funding of blasphemous art
Warwick IV · 2
THBT schools should prioritise the teaching of modern literature over classical literature.
Lancaster IV · 1
THBT when awarding artistic achievement, all aspects of the artist's personal lives should be ignored
Irish National Law Debates · Open_Semis
TH regrets the commercialization and mainstream popularization of grafitti.
North American Women's (@ McGill University) · 2
TH regrets the existence of critic or professionally determined film awards, including the Academy Awards, Palme D'Or, and Sight and Sound's Top 10
LSE Open · 2
TH, as a critic, would advise the public not to consume works of music, film and art produced by artists that you deem morally reprehensible, regardless of the artistic merit of their work
Leiden Open · 2
It is 1990 shortly before German reunification. THW, as the Bundesrepublik Deutschland, select the DDR anthem "Auferstanden aus Ruinen" (Risen from Ruins) as the new national anthem for a reunited Germany
Marburger Geschichte Turnier (History Tournament) · Open_Final
THW legally require the consent of artists for the resale and use of their art
Leeds Open · 1
THBT authors who belong to historically oppressed peoples should only write in their native languages
NAUDC (@ HWS College) · 2
THR the rise of pop-cultural authories on what constitutes good sex.
NAUDC (@ HWS College) · 5
THBT "Action is Eloquence" (Coriolanus)
Paris V French Debating Association Tournament Open_Semis · Open_Semi_2
THW enter the Matrix
Royal Holloway Open · 2
THBT the Western World should not portray ''The Great Explorers'' (e.g. Christoph Columbus, Vasco da Gama) as heroes.
Arandjelovac Open · 5
THBT artists accrue no additional responsibilities/duties by virtue of becoming famous
National Maiden's · 4
TH regrets the popularisation and commercialisation of counter-cultural or oppositional sub-genres of music (e.g Gangsta Rap or Punk music)
Aberystwyth Open · 2

Motions are free. Judged rounds are the product.

Our students debate motions like these every week in full judged rounds, with oral adjudication and written feedback after every one.

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