Equity and equality: The myth of inclusion in the Cultural sector

October 13 2022 from 1pm onwards

STEAMhouse

Birmingham City University

Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD

As new data from ACE show the reluctance of the sector to truly embrace diversity across ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality , disability, there continues to be a marked disparity between the sector and the city it purports to represent.

The lack of cohesion in Birmingham when it comes to EDI is evident with a workforce that in no way reflects the city population, and also ignores the needs of diverse audiences.

Conversely the sector colludes to exclude by a focus on formal education paths and undermining non-traditional and less formalised routes particular for those for lower socio-economic backgrounds. This in no way replaces HE but demonstrated a need for CPD and learning through the sector which is more in line with the needs of both entrants and organisations. Equally with such stagnation at the middle of the sector- this drive for new entrants is tokenistic and also increases the drain away from Birmingham.

However, policy and punitive action do not allow for a flourishing of diversity that truly is relevant and resonates across citizens. As the structures aren’t fit for purpose what do we need to dismantle to move beyond tokenism, black squares and signing pledges.

Equity and equality: The myth of inclusion in the Cultural sector

This mini symposium addresses both ends of the ecology- those wishing to enter or at mid-career and also organisations. We want to move beyond the binary and look at how we create inclusive conditions which can develop and morph as the sector continues to become more diverse post pandemic. We will look at the nature of exclusion, what experience of it looks like and how we dismantle and address systemic bias and inequity to develop a sector that reflects the diversity of Birmingham

Timetable and outline programme

Timetable and outline programme

13:00-14:00 Lunch and networking

14:00 Welcome and hellos: Welcome and Introduction

14:15- 15:00 Keynote speaker in conversation with Helga Henry

15:00- 15:30 Q & A

15:30-16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 -16:30 Panel 1 Chair Noel Dunne, Director Creative Alliance: Using recent Creative Alliance research, what can the sector do to make inclusive working environments the norm? What barriers have people faced and what are the opportunities to change this?

16:30- 16:45. Coffee break

16:45-17:15 Panel 2 Chair Lara Ratnaraja: Cultural Consultant: What does good practice in diversity and leadership look like in the Cultural Sector? What actions can we take to support diverse leadership and how can we work collectively to create a new form of inclusive working environments?

17:15-17:30 Noel Dunne and Lara Ratnaraja feedback and close

17:30-19:30 CEDIA Launch

The Centre for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Arts (CEDIA) is an advocate and critical voice for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the Arts, and is situated within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media at Birmingham City University (BCU). CEDIA works with BCU staff and students and external organisations to connect, facilitate and amplify work on equality, diversity and inclusion. The Centre is led by its Director, Dr Karen Patel (Research Fellow at BCU) and co-chaired by Indy Hunjan (founder of Kalaphool).

CEDIA has partnered with Creative Alliance, the leading creative apprenticeship providers and Lead with Advantage, a diverse leadership development initiative co-curated and delivered by consultants Lara Ratnaraja and Helga Henry, to present a symposium before their evening launch event. We would like you to join us for a thought-provoking afternoon and chance to meet with peers and experts in the inspiring surroundings of STEAMhouse.

Lead with Advantage is a diverse leadership development initiative co-curated and delivered by consultants Lara Ratnaraja and Helga Henry. It builds on our previous programmes RE:Present, ASTON-ish and AD:Vantage and now seeks to encourage debate, insight and action in the field of diverse cultural leadership.

Creative Alliance is an independent training provider that specialises in enabling people, from across England, who are from diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities, to get into creative, digital and marketing roles. We do this through:

• Creative Careers Education

• Skills Bootcamps

• Apprenticeships: we have the broadest portfolio of creative, digital and marketing apprenticeships in the country.

• Other training and mentoring to support young creatives into work.

This event is a collaboration between Lead with AD:Vantage and Creative Alliance.

It is funded through the Centre for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Arts.

Please note that this event is in person only in a fully accessible venue and will not be streamed.

The event will be BSL interpreted and your booking will allow you to flag up any other access needs that you may have.

Please note that this page is for booking the Symposium ONLY – you are warmly invited to join the CEDIA launch afterwards. We will ask you for your dietary preferences in the booking. Please note that we may share some data (anonymously - numbers, dietary prefs and access needs) with our partners at CEDIA in order to deliver this joint event.

Host or Publisher Lead with Advantage