Rosemary Fung
Beyond Tick Boxes
On 29 June 2017, DARTS brought together artists, producers, organisations, policy makers and arts bodies from both within and outside of Western Sydney to discuss issues of cultural diversity and inclusion through a series of plenaries, interactive breakout sessions and presentations of commissioned films (as provocations) and performances.
This symposium facilitated dialogue between artists, companies, creators, producers, organisations and institutions through a series of Q&A-style panels, small interactive breakouts, and by showcasing provocative screen works. The outcomes of the day were captured in a written report and series of short films and podcasts, which will be distributed widely and feed into future research and policy frameworks.
Attendees
Representatives from companies such as the Australia Council for the Arts, Australian Film Television and Radio School, Blacktown Arts Centre, Cope Street Collective, Create NSW, CuriousWorks, Contemporary Asian Australian Performance, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Urban Theatre Projects, Sydney Theatre Company, the Australian Human Rights Commission and many others.
Numbers were kept small (140 people) to ensure strategic and in-depth discussions.
Voice, Agency & Integrity Report
The “Voice, Agency and Integrity” Report produced by Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) was launched on 5 October 2018. It compiles issues, direct experiences and potential solutions to entrenched barriers that were identified in key-note industry addresses and expert forums at the BTB Symposium.
Voice, Agency and Integrity
Download the Beyond Tick Boxes report launched on 5 October 2018
Gains and Benefits
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practical tools to use in engaging with cultural diversity
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stories from others who have faced, and often solved, similar issues
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new connections with culturally diverse artists and arts organisations
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loads of inspiration for the next steps to take
Accessibility
This event was live streamed and people who can’t attend were able to join in the conversation via Google HangOut. Casula Powerhouse is an accessible venue and the event was supported by Auslan interpreting, live captioning and interpreting in languages other than English.
Final Gathering
Since 2013, DARTS has held a series of national “Gatherings” across Australia to gain a deeper understanding of the issues and barriers to diversity and inclusion in the creative sector and to identify strategies for change. This was the final in this series of events.
Western Sydney
Western Sydney is home to the largest culturally and linguistically diverse population in Australia, and has national recognition for its cutting-edge culturally diverse art and screen work.
Beyond Tick Boxes was a day of conversations at the Casula Powerhouse to identify barriers and strategies for greater participation for culturally and linguistically diverse artists in the mainstream arts and screen sector and profile examples of best practice initiatives, including how artists and organisations engage with diversity in their practice.