Arts Council England to launch The Creative Case – a new approach to diversity
Published 26 July 2011
Arts Council England will launch the Creative Case - a new approach to diversity, during a day-long public symposium in Manchester on Monday 12 September.
The Creative Case is the Arts Council’s new approach to diversity and equality, setting out how diversity and equality can enrich the arts for artists, audiences and our wider society.
Development of The Creative Case approach has been informed by a Third Text report entitled Beyond Cultural Diversity – the Creative Case, commissioned in 2010 by the Arts Council. Alongside the 2010 Equality Act, The Creative Case will form an integral part of Achieving great art for everyone – the ten year vision for the arts.
Keynote speakers at the Creative Case Symposium include Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, Sue Caro, Head of Diversity at the BBC, Alistair Spalding, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells, and Deborah Shaw, Associate Director, Royal Shakespeare Company. Discussion sessions will examine historical examples of how diversity has led to cultural innovation and look at contemporary models of best practice in equality. All those with an interest in the subject are invited to attend and to take part in the discussion.
The free event includes seminars that will outline an inclusive definition of diversity and provide practical advice on how to encourage excellence and resilience through equality practice. The information will be tailored for a wide range of arts organisations from international touring companies and national venues to creative businesses and community projects.
The day will end with the world premiere of FIREBIRD, a new commission from leading UK jazz organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors. Performed by The Nu Civilisation Orchestra, FIREBIRD explores the musical dialogue between the Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky and African American jazz musicians such as Charlie Parker, who influenced each other’s work in Harlem, New York.
Alan Davey, Chief Executive of Arts Council England said:
“The Creative Case Symposium is an unmissable opportunity for all arts organisations to reflect on the contribution diversity and equality make to their own development. It will give artists and arts organisations an invaluable insight into our vision for the next ten years.”
Tony Panayiotou, Head of Diversity at Arts Council England said:
“Arts Council England believes that the contribution of diverse artists to British cultural life is, and has always been, vital to a flourishing, vibrant and resilient arts ecology. Diversity has the unique ability to refresh, to replenish and to stimulate the arts by encouraging new work that challenges, innovates and takes risks. It is not possible to talk about a modern and relevant arts sector without talking about diversity and equality.”
The Symposium will be followed by the Arts Council’s flagship diversity focused event, the biennial decibel Performing Arts Showcase, also in Manchester, from 13-16 September. Showcase embodies and illustrates the Creative Case in practice and over the years has proved that diverse artists are at the forefront of artist innovation, risk taking and the harnessing of new technologies.
The Creative Case Symposium
Monday 12 September 2011
Symposium: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Tomorrow’s Warriors performance: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Click here to register your FREE place for The Creative Case Symposium
Click here to order a copy of Beyond Cultural Diversity – the Creative Case
