Diversity

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Creative Diversity has announced its next research project.

The cross-party group of MPs and Peers will examine diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline, with a focus on the 16+ age category.

Their work, delivered alongside partners including YouTube and King’s College London, will analyse formal tertiary creative education as well as programmes outside formal educational settings.

In doing so, the APPG aims to deepen understanding of the pipeline of new entrants from across the country and identify critical points for intervention to ensure the UK’s creative industries are inclusive and equitable. 

The project is expected to report in summer 2023 with recommendations for the creative industries, education providers and policymakers. 

Roundtables will commence virtually in the coming months with evidence also gathered through a global literature review, analysis of ONS data and online submission. 

The group is welcoming email submissions of evidence from those who can contribute "examples of what works" to support diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline.

“Our creative industries will never reflect, nor benefit from, the full diversity of talent across the UK unless we address stubborn and systemic barriers to inclusion, including the vital issue of pathways, gateways and pipelines,” Co-Chair of the APPG Baroness Deborah Bull said.

An arts group planning to showcase African talent living in Northern Ireland and aid community cohesion has launched.

The collective, which aims to be a platform for artists, dancers and musicians, is being established by charity Africa House Northern Ireland which represents the interests of African organisations and individuals across the country.

Cuthbert Tura Arutura of Africa House said African artists felt they were unable to make an impact individually and secure work.

“We have seen that African and Irish people have a lot of shared experiences and art is a way to express that,” he said.

“This type of initiative addresses the isolation some arriving in Northern Ireland, and is also another way that people can network.

“It is all about empowerment.”

African and Northern Ireland artists will gather on Wednesday 5 October to mark the forming of the group at the Markets Community Centre in Belfast.

Bristol’s first ever East & South East Asian (ESEA) arts and culture festival is taking place this weekend.

MOON FEST will be held at art centre the Arnolfini on September 10, to coincide with ESEA Heritage Month, and will feature music performances, short film screenings, arts and crafts.

It is said to be inspired by traditional ESEA events such as Mid-Autumn Festival, Chuseok, Tsukimi, Tết Trung Thu and Uposatha of Ashvini.

The festival has been created by Monica Wat, founder of Made on the Moon, a production collective that works to support underrepresented groups in music and art.

Wat says she hopes the festival will lead to more ESEA representation.

“That’s the core of it. If we could help ESEA creatives and communities in more ways, that would be amazing. 

“I think cultural appropriation is quite common in the UK so I really wanted to bring MOONFEST to the wider community of Bristol in order to come together and to shine - we are visible, talented and diverse.”

The world’s first exhibition on open captioning in the arts will take place at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre in September.

Created by deaf-led captioning charity Stagetext, Captions Speak Louder details the history of theatre captioning, including how it was it was first brought to the UK in 1999 and has since spread across the country.

The free exhibition will run at Mercury Theatre from 3 to 29 September, following a successful debut at the Barbican Centre last November.

Chief Executive Steve Mannix said the theatre is really proud to be hosting the exhibition.

“At the Mercury, we firmly believe in the arts being accessible for all and this will be a great opportunity for our audiences to learn more about captioning and accessibility within the arts.”

Auction house Christie's is to fund a scholarship scheme helping students who are the first to go to university in their family attend Manchester School of Art.

Christie's will fund five scholarships for students studying Fine Art or Art History and Curating at the Manchester School of Art, as part of a drive to increase diversity and social mobility in the arts.

It will also provide expert guest lectures and host visits from Manchester School of Art students at its London headquarters. 

Professor Martyn Evans, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Arts and Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan and Director of Manchester School of Art said: “We are proud to be one of the most diverse universities in the UK, but recognise there is much more to do to widen access to higher education, not least in the arts subjects.

“Christie’s generosity and the expertise of their staff will unlock exceptional opportunities for our students.”

Toby Monk, Director of Recruitment at Christie’s, said that the company “is committed to supporting continuing education in the arts and specifically to opening opportunities for those from more diverse backgrounds to follow their passion and the potential of a career as a result.”