Hello,
We hope you are all healthy and grounded this lovely Monday afternoon!
In reflecting upon
World Autism Month, we look at our own practices and aspirations towards accessibility and advocacy for communities with disabilities and what our role is in the work. Specific to the arts, we have been reading
Practicing Disability Justice, Honoring Wholeness Onstage, which discusses how performing artists with disabilities are creating accessibility and challenging ableism within the field. We have been learning about Dance/NYC’s
Disability. Dance. Artistry. Initiative focused on creating continuous equity for communities with disabilities in the dance field.
In addition,
Claiming Disability by Simi Linton and
Disability Visibility by Alice Wong are incredible books written by authors with disabilities that discuss disability justice, the vast identities within disability communities, and elevate the voices of those who are disabled.
If you would like to learn more about autism advocacy and additional resources, we suggest you support and learn more about
Autistic Self Advocacy Network and the
Art of Autism. In our continuous efforts in advocating for and educating ourselves about autism and additional disabilities, we encourage you all to continue intentional learning and work. Do you have resources that
guide your work? Let us know using this form
and we will share on the Cultural Equity Resource Center.
In other news:
We have been reflecting and expanding upon equitable practices within our personal, professional, and artistic lives through the following articles. What have you been growing and reflecting with recently?
Author Roxane Gay, Who Loves Art But Dislikes the Art World, Has Some Advice for Galleries:
‘Stop Being Terrible’, dives into the Bad Feminist and Hunger author’s collection of art, perspectives on the white gatekeeping of art collecting and museums, and elevating and supporting the work of artists of color.
For incarcerated dancers through Dancing Through Prison Walls at the California Rehabilitation Center, moving and dancemaking during the pandemic became minimal and difficult. Learn more about how these movers continued to create dance
works in the article,
Writing Dances, From Inside a Prison.
In
Asian-Americans, perennially excluded, author Irene Mei Zhi Shum reflects on the
violent attack of Vilma Kari through the lens of her own experiences and Asian-American history.
Learning Opportunities and Activities:
April 20th: The Foundations of Racism | Defining the Roots of Bigotry and
Discrimination Against Black People in America (Free)
Learn about the history of structural racism in America. This training presents a unique opportunity to strengthen racial equity practices personally, professionally, and culturally.
April 22nd: Art
Equity & Ethical Partnerships (Free)
The first of two workshops with Francine Sheffield, Sheffield Global Arts Management and Rhizome Arts Consulting. Performing Arts is about more than the financial transaction between the presenter, manager and artists.
April 22nd:
Creative Conversations | AAPI Listening & Solidarity (Free)
This listening session organized by Queens Council on the Arts hopes to create a space for AAPI identifying individuals to share feelings and resources,
give voice to personal experience, and find ways to move forward together.
April 26th: The Power
of Culture with The Center for Cultural Power ($12.50 to $25)
This workshop, led by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) artists, delves into Cultural Power—the intersection of arts and activism.
Thank you for reading, and have a grounded and joyful week! If you want to share ways this work is showing up in your organization or community, or if you have questions, let us know using this
form.
Warmly,
Ami
Ami Scherson
(ah-mee shure-sun)
Equity in Arts Leadership Program Coordinator
Americans for the Arts
One East 53rd St 3rd Fl
New York, NY
(212) 223-2787
x2083
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Pronouns: she/her/hers
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