Title: Policy & Resources Officer (Access & Diversity)
Name of Organisation: West Midlands Arts
How long in present post? 4 years
Phone: 0121 631 3121
Email: shine.duggal@west-midlands-arts.co.uk
What does your Organisation do?
The core services we provide are information, funding, research, brokering and advocacy. We work with a range of partners at many different levels, from advice at the grass roots to negotiating strategic initiatives with regional partners.
What does your current job involve?
I am the lead Officer for developing policy and strategy that supports the development of Black and minority ethnic (BME) arts. Currently I am focussing on implementing the first year of our five-year BME Arts Action Plan. Entitled Shifting Perspectives, the action plan is the result of an extensive consultation and review process with a main aim of breaking down barriers that prevent BME artists, organisations and communities from working in, accessing and experiencing the arts.
Who did you used to work for and what did you do?
I spent two weeks on location in Bombay immediately before joining WMA working with The Times Music Group as Co- Director/Producer of a pop video, great fun! Prior to this I worked for Birmingham City Councils Youth Service as a Youth Arts Development Officer, using the arts as medium to engage young people in exploring issues that affected them and their quality of life.
What do you enjoy most about your present post?
I enjoy the developmental aspect of the job, working with BME artists and organisations and being able to support them through a process, which enables them to access funding and develop projects that reflect and respond to their artistic needs. I also enjoy being able to contribute to arts development in the region at a strategic level.
What do you find most difficult in your present post?
Finding the time to do everything well and the amount of paperwork.
What is your career ambition?
To be recognised for the contributions I have made to the arts and to the developing Black arts infrastructure.
Who has influenced your career to date the most - and why?
My mentor Peter Clarke, a brilliant man who has empowered me to believe in myself and my ability.
If you could have done any job in the world what would you like to have done?
Most definitely a Television Presenter/Researcher, I would particularly liked to have worked on young peoples? arts and cultural programmes.
If you had three wishes for the future of the arts, what would they be?
Inclusive, Representative, Diverse