Tackling racism and inequality - Collaborate research funding
We’re delighted that Crafts Council and Glasgow Caledonian University London have been awarded a research grant from the Cultural Value Centre’s Collaborate fund.
To address structural omissions of the experiences of makers of colour from the cultural space of craft our project will co-develop authentic research tools grounded in the reality of individuals’ and local communities’ lives. Holding two place-based craft making events we will develop and test research tools that investigate the meanings and cultural value of craft and specifically the impacts of race, racism, immigration and migration on cultural production, making and value. Our aim is to generate more nuanced understandings of the difference culture makes and promote creative practices and research with social justice central to measures of cultural value.
To address racism in craft identified in our earlier partnership research with Dr Karen Patel, Making Changes in Craft, we need research that identifies and recognises the value of the knowledge, experience and cultural heritage of makers of colour in professional, community or other crafts spaces. Our 10-month Living Lab project will explore, develop and test measures of the cultural value and wellbeing attached to craft by racially minoritised communities who are excluded from the cultural space of craft.
Our study is one of five innovative new partnerships between cultural sector practitioners and academics and was selected from 183 expressions of interest. Collaborate aims to deepen understanding of the differences culture makes to people’s lives and to communities.
In other research, Fostering Equity in the Visual Arts Sector is a key part of CVAN's Fair and Equitable programme. The focus of this pilot year is on intersectional practice and the barriers and opportunities for artists and arts workers from marginalised and underrepresented communities. Recommendations focus on building cultures of belonging, removing barriers in work environments and consulting artists on actions needed.
And the Welsh government has published an Anti-Racist Action Plan to “eliminate discrimination and barriers to the full enjoyment of all aspects of culture, heritage and sport, and to recognise and celebrate past and present racial and ethnic diversity in Wales”. Plans include anti-racist education and learning and working with organisations on their responsibilities to set right the historic narrative and on how they use their spending powers to embed anti-racist practice.