The Journal of Cultural Management and Cultural Policy offers international perspectives on issues in cultural management and cultural policy research and practice. Artists shape policy and management which is integral to their practice. This issue looks at how artists engage in policy making and how policies develop through artistic practice. Authors examine the role of researchers as interpreters and developers of policies originating in artist-focused research, artist agency in artist-led development, and what it means to »give« artists a platform to pursue their policy interests. Additionally, marginalisation of artists and lack of diversity in methodologies are explored in this issue.