Diversity and Grassroot Self-agency; Challenges and Solutions
An introduction:
The Arts industry replicates the structures in our wider society. Those in charge, those with funding and power are, often, rich, white and male. There are emerging initiatives and organizations working to increase diversity in all forms of art. However there are still structural and cultural barriers which prevent equal opportunities for engagement in the arts. People from all backgrounds, of all gender identities and races, have been telling their stories and truths through arts for millennia, but rarely are they heard or listened to without the financial backing or the political pertinence.
We are asking - Who are the gatekeepers (particularly to funding)?
How do we experience diversity initiatives? How do they feel to be a part of or to engage in?
What would we do or do we do - to make the Arts a more equal, diverse industry?
The second area we’ll be focusing on is:
Art making as a form of self-advocacy: arts provide a space for expression, they allow people to reclaim ownership of narratives and shape these stories for themselves. Community Arts can provide a space for people to work with others with a similar lived experience. It can be a rare space where people are allowed to let go of imposed titles (refugee, migrant etc) and meet on an equal level, as artists.
Art can be an alternative form of testimony. Art can capture something, of our experience which words alone cannot reach. It can also help us to make sense of our feelings in a unique way. Some of the Questions we’ll be touching on are -
How do we avoid testimony, or personal storytelling, becoming exploitative and extractive - insisting people ‘tell their story’ for the sake of other people's interest.
How do personal narratives get shown in a way that isn't voyeuristic - that doesn't make a spectacle of people or their lives in a way they don't want.
How do we get art heard, and respected?
How do we make sure the work is led by the community/artists, and remains led by the community/artists?
We invite speakers from academics, artists, directors of established and emerging organisations, and researchers from different races and ethnicities to discuss the challenges and offer solutions. Two of the seminars are available on our Youtube channel. You can find a recording of the previous seminars on our Facebook page.
An introduction:
The Arts industry replicates the structures in our wider society. Those in charge, those with funding and power are, often, rich, white and male. There are emerging initiatives and organizations working to increase diversity in all forms of art. However there are still structural and cultural barriers which prevent equal opportunities for engagement in the arts. People from all backgrounds, of all gender identities and races, have been telling their stories and truths through arts for millennia, but rarely are they heard or listened to without the financial backing or the political pertinence.
We are asking - Who are the gatekeepers (particularly to funding)?
How do we experience diversity initiatives? How do they feel to be a part of or to engage in?
What would we do or do we do - to make the Arts a more equal, diverse industry?
The second area we’ll be focusing on is:
Art making as a form of self-advocacy: arts provide a space for expression, they allow people to reclaim ownership of narratives and shape these stories for themselves. Community Arts can provide a space for people to work with others with a similar lived experience. It can be a rare space where people are allowed to let go of imposed titles (refugee, migrant etc) and meet on an equal level, as artists.
Art can be an alternative form of testimony. Art can capture something, of our experience which words alone cannot reach. It can also help us to make sense of our feelings in a unique way. Some of the Questions we’ll be touching on are -
How do we avoid testimony, or personal storytelling, becoming exploitative and extractive - insisting people ‘tell their story’ for the sake of other people's interest.
How do personal narratives get shown in a way that isn't voyeuristic - that doesn't make a spectacle of people or their lives in a way they don't want.
How do we get art heard, and respected?
How do we make sure the work is led by the community/artists, and remains led by the community/artists?
We invite speakers from academics, artists, directors of established and emerging organisations, and researchers from different races and ethnicities to discuss the challenges and offer solutions. Two of the seminars are available on our Youtube channel. You can find a recording of the previous seminars on our Facebook page.
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