‘Whose culture’
– Exploring the cultural engagement of young POC creatives in Bristol
Commissioned
by
YEAR
2018-2021
Roseanna Dias
Fatima Safana
Funded Project: Research, Racial Justice
TAGS
Led by
Young Creatives
Next-to-no data exists on the cultural activity of people of colour in Bristol. So we set out to change that. A Question. A Conversation. A Provocation. A Report.
People of colour continue to be underrepresented in the UK’s creative sector as audiences, employees and makers. The city of Bristol is a creative and cultural hub, but for young people from the city’s communities of colour it can be difficult to navigate and enjoy cultural spaces when you don’t see yourself represented within them. Since 2017, we have been running an action research project, Whose Culture, creating specific opportunities for young people of colour to ask questions within Bristol’s creative sector and explore what ‘culture’ means to them.
We strongly believe that the makeup of Bristol arts and culture needs to change—so this project is just one example of how we’re going to make it happen.
From Our Blog
Research highlights
-
Respondents talked about the importance of being able to have their own young and/or POC spaces for creativity. They want spaces in which they can connect, share experiences and feel safe. These spaces for POC should welcome those from all ethnicities and backgrounds, as well as people with mixed heritage, who sometimes feel like POC spaces are not for them. Respondents also talked about wanting to see more art for and by South Asian, East Asian and Latinx creatives.
-
The importance of creating both physical and digital spaces in which young POC creatives can feel seen and see others—and be the source of their inspiration and empowerment—is crucial for supporting their growth. In the survey we asked respondents if they had a message for Bristol’s young POC creatives, and their comments demonstrate the important role Rising and the city have in amplifying the messages of inspiration, encouragement and motivation, and encouraging opportunities for connection.
-
Young POC recognise that there is a lot of potential in Bristol’s cultural scene but there is also a lack of authentic opportunities. Whilst this inspiring city is filled with inspiring people and projects, there is a deep-rooted distrust of institutions based on previous experiences. Respondents talked about Bristol institutions not recognising the talent in their city. They talked about the barriers they face in an industry that does not consider their needs or especially care about them and their longer-term careers.
They spoke about the lack of connection and respect they frequently experience in predominantly white spaces. They also talked about how they were concerned about their work and identity being tokenised or appropriated.
-
Young POC spelled out the frustrations of being pigeonholed into entry-level development and internship programmes in the sector. Many of them are ready to lead or already have their own creative businesses. As a result of these schemes and other exclusionary factors in the industry, they do not see institutional spaces as a place for their talents. Instead, they are creating their own spaces which support POC communities in Bristol.
If Bristol’s sector wants to thrive, it must make space for young POC creatives to lead (and be listened to and respected) within institutional spaces.
impact
1.
A celebration event including supported networking, performances and DJs
2.
A lab exploring Human-Centred Design methodologies
3.
Online support and events for two Rising exhibitions Throwing Shade and Why Are We Not Here centering POC experiences
5.
Recruitment and marketing at events like Yo! Fest
6.
A short film which screened online and on Millennium Square’s big screen
7.
Models, approaches and opportunities for embedding Whose Culture learnings and principles into all of Rising’s work
8.
Whose Culture artists were part of a public and sector-facing campaign #WhoseFuture
4.
Talks and events such as Black Women 100, as well as four steering group meetings
“The instances of cultural connection are usually felt from other individuals in the same boat as myself in the creative sector. The actual cultural sector does the opposite. I like it because I get real work opportunities I wouldn’t get outside of these spaces but I see it all as just work mainly, not actual connection with real people. Real artistic and cultural connection is felt with my friends, family and people, not a disconnected sector that pushes ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ (hate those buzz words btw) as a trend so as not to receive backlash from a growingly conscious and loud audience. That was a rant and I could say a lot more on the subject but it tires me if I’m honest”
– Whose Culture Survey Respondent