
Registration Is Open For The Future Is Here: Artistic Leadership For Ethnically Diverse Women And Non-Binary People Of Colour
January 24-26, 2020
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Presented in partnership with Concrete Theatre
Registration deadline: January 8, 2020
About This Workshop
Currently, self-identified women and non-binary people of colour hold only 3.7% of leadership positions in the theatre industry in Canada. This fact has inspired the 3.7% Initiative whose goal is to strengthen the performing arts sector through greater diversity. This workshop will be informed by the work of the 3.7% Initiative, exploring ways to build skills, set up supports within the current system, and work with others to create a more equitable playing field.
Instructor Nike Jonah will use the “Creative Case” to facilitate this workshop, a unique approach that looks at the dynamics between artistic practice and diversity and equality. The Creative Case is based on the observation that diversity in its widest sense is an intrinsic element in the creative act. She will seek to relocate conversations and policies around diversity and inequalities from the margins into the centre of key debates on how art is created, innovated, expressed, distributed, and consumed.
About The Instructor
Nike Jonah led the highly acclaimed Arts Council of England’s Decibel Programme between 2008-2012. The Decibel Programme was designed to support and increase the profile of African, Asian, and Caribbean artists in England. Over the last five years, she has led discussions and workshops on the Creative Case for Diversity and Equality in Arts across the globe. Nike is currently a Research Fellow at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama exploring diversity in education through the Creative Case approach.
About the 3.7% Initiative
The 3.7% Initiative was created in Vancouver by Sherry J. Soon and Boca del Lupo for the express purpose of helping women who self-identify as ethnically and culturally diverse, of Indigenous, or of mixed-racial heritage find greater success in their performing arts practice. Named for the low percentage of key creative roles in Canadian theatre held by ethnically and culturally diverse women, this initiative supports women who have a strong desire to change that statistic by taking their performing arts career into their own hands. Concrete Theatre leads Edmonton’s chapter of the 3.7% Initiative.
Financial Assistance Available
Current Theatre Alberta members who reside in Alberta and are in financial need are eligible to apply for financial assistance to cover between 25% to 75% of the tuition fee. Funds are limited and will be awarded to those in greatest need. The deadline to apply for financial assistance is January 3, 2020.
Please note that the Michelle Dias Community Service Award is open to applicants of the Future Is Here workshop. For more information CLICK HERE.