Bristol?s Arnolfini gallery (pictured) has been subject to a media onslaught following its advertising of a curatorial traineeship for Black and Asian applicants. The publication of a recruitment advert for the new post led to The Mail on Sunday publishing a half-page piece under the headline ?Wanted: Curator for anti-racist art show. Salary up to £21,000. Whites need not apply?, and subsequent coverage by local and national media.
The controversy was particularly unexpected given that Arnolfini?s targeting of the post is legal under the 1976 Race Relations Act, and positions such as these have been offered by Arts Council England for many years. Colin Beesting, Communications Manager for Arts Council England?s decibel programme, said: ?The unfortunate media generated by this issue underlines the need for the crucial work that Arts Council England and decibel are doing to redress inequity in the arts? other organisations wishing to offer similar opportunities for artists and practitioners from under-represented groups are always welcome to contact the Arts Council for guidance.? See p16 for the final article in the decibel series.