WHAT DO WE REALLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT arm's length? Council meeting and seminar in Danish Artist Council 21st January 2013. Socio-political involves the arm's length principle ("The arm's length principle") a separation of the executive, judicial and legislative branches, as abuse of power can be controlled. Cultural principle must ensure the autonomy of art and prevent the culture and art abused for economic and political purposes by allocating public support to the arts by expert commitees and independent arts councils.