Diversity

Ethnically diverse creatives are experiencing increased job insecurity and financial instability post-Covid, according to a University of Manchester study.

Researchers found 29% of respondents are in employment a year after the first lockdown – 22% less than in 2020 – with 44% saying they are now "financially unstable" or need immediate assistance to pay their bills.

30% of respondents had left the creative and cultural industries for another sector, raising concerns about backsliding diversity in the sector.

Dr Anamik Saha of Goldsmith University’s Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity said the Black Lives Matter protests translated into relatively few new opportunities for Black creatives.

“Our hope is that in shining a light on their circumstances, media and cultural organisations can better support creative workers from minoritised communities, ensuring fair and equal treatment during these difficult times.”

A postdoctoral fellowship in Chinese and Sinophone contemporary art will provide a "unique opportunity", its funders say.

Asymmetry Art Foundation and The Courtauld have partnered on the two-year grant for early career academics, their first collaboration.

Two fellows will be mentored by The Courtauld's Senior Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Art, Dr Wenny Teo and be involved in a lecture series and international symposium.

Courtauld Director Marit Rausing said the initiative is part of "our continuing efforts to decentre and decolonise the curriculum".

A call for applicants will open soon with the first fellow selected by the summer.

Inclusion and diversity organisation Inc Arts has won four accolades from Anthem Awards.

The awards recognise "purpose and mission driven work". Inc Arts was acknowledged with gold awards for special projects, best strategy, partnership and collaboration and a "medal class" award.

The organisation helped share the experiences of 400 ethnically diverse arts workers with 3,000 senior leaders in the sector during the lockdowns, hosted a conference, Speak-Listen-Reset-Heal, and provided the Unlock toolkit.

CEO Amanda Parker said the work has been hard but has catalysed change at hundreds of UK arts organisations.

"In the darkest of storms, it's great to be seen."

An augmented reality project telling untold stories of Black Britons has gone live at London’s Trafalgar Square.

Visitors to the area can access the Hidden Black Stories project through social media platform Snapchat. 

The immersive history lesson tells the Black British stories behind famous statues in the square. A remote version featuring the story behind a Nelson Madela statue is also available on the app.

The launch follows research conducted by Snapchat, Black Cultural Archieves (BCA) and Research Without Borders that found only a third (32%) of Britons recognise historical Black figures.

BCA Interim Director Lisa Anderson said the opportunity to share heritage with younger audiences is exciting and powerful: “This Trafalgar square lens is a dynamic, virtual sign of recognition.”