Cultural Diversity – Towards a diverse future

The Arts Council of England (ACE) has given the green light to a 2-year initiative to support and profile diverse arts practice in England. Sita Ramamurthy outlines the plans.

Cultural diversity in Britain is at the forefront of many agendas at the moment and the arts are no exception. In recognising and promoting culturally diverse work in England the ACE Diversity Project aims to challenge perceptions of the arts in contemporary British society.

Focus on priorities

It would however, be almost impossible to tackle the issue of diversity in its broadest context. In order to create a focus and framework, the project centres on ethnic diversity resulting from post-war immigration, with an increased focus on arts and artists from African, Caribbean and Asian backgrounds. The Diversity Project was initially established as a Year of Cultural Diversity, planned for 2002. But it was soon apparent that the ‘Year of’ format would not create a true platform for change, so an extended timeframe and increased funds have been put in place, and the initiative will now run until March 2004. It is hoped that progress made over the next 23 months will effect change within the funding system, ensuring that cultural diversity remains high on the arts agenda. The biggest single indication that ACE is starting to look seriously at supporting diverse arts practice is the fact the project has secured a prioritisation of 12.5% of funds in the Regional Arts Lottery Programme for diverse arts. Priority is also being negotiated with the National Touring Programme.

Profile raising

It is important that as much money as possible gets into the hands of the artists and organisations who are creating and supporting black-led work. Small arts companies with limited funds do not have the resources to fight for more profile and access, as well as trying to create and present work. With this in mind a major strategic push is also required back into the mainstream arts, media and corporate sectors. The Diversity Project seeks to collaborate across artforms to create an overall sense of critical mass and awareness of activity taking place across the country, much as the Japan 2001 festival did last year. This collective lobbying and marketing can develop links with media to increase profile, and with the corporate sector to highlight the merits of sponsoring arts events in this area.

Diverse activity

There is also funding for skills development, strategic networking within the sector, training, mentoring and lobbying for better representation at board level. Two marketplace events are being established and funded to showcase black-led work to promoters, festival directors, curators, producers and venue managers from the UK and overseas. The performing arts marketplace place will take place in Manchester in May 2003, and the visual arts marketplace in Bristol the following October. The spring and autumn seasons will provide natural focus periods for media attention and a celebration of diverse arts practice. Building around the marketplace activities and other events such as Black History month, festivals etc, the Diversity Project will be maximising its marketing and PR efforts during these periods. Creating a platform for debate is another key strand to the Diversity Project. Actions such as the recent release of the Eclipse Report which addressed racism in theatre, alongside external factors such as the international business community looking at its own corporate social responsibility issues, all contribute to a climate that can inspire debate, create opportunity and column inches in the press. A series of debates will look at the issues around cultural diversity in Britain.

Starting point

The Diversity Project is a catalyst for change: a challenge to make people see difference and do different. Critics will be quick to level accusations that there is no quick fix to the issues and there is a great deal of truth in this. But action is better than no action at all. The Diversity Project cannot bring about total change in a two-year period, but it can start to address some fundamental issues facing the arts industry and the funding system, and build a platform for ongoing activity and legacy.

There are a number of ways for artists to get involved in the Diversity Project. There are Diversity Project link officers in every Regional Arts Council office throughout the country who can advise on the project and on funding avenues. Informing the Diversity Project team of events means that details can be included in material that is going to the media, politicians, and possible arts sponsors in the corporate sector. The Diversity Project is not just about funding, it is about visibility. By creating awareness of events taking place throughout the country we can make people sit up and take notice. By working together we can bring about the beginnings of a sea change.

Sita Ramamurthy is Programme Director for the Diversity Project. From July the Diversity Project will be producing regular newsletters providing updates on activities. To be included on the mailing list send contact details to [email protected]