Feature Interview
Speaking, Listening, Resetting, Healing The events of 2020 brought the conversation on inclusivity and diversity firmly into the spotlight, including in the dance sector. Amanda Parker is Founder of Inc Arts, which campaigns for greater inclusion in the arts. She speaks to Chief Executive Andrew Hurst on the recent anti-racist work she and others have undertaken, the next steps for dance, and how we can all make meaningful change.
Amanda Parker Founder of Inc Arts
Photo: Inc Arts
“Despite the wide disparity of where we start, of knowledge and understanding of the issues and what we can do, there’s been a huge appetite to learn and change and that’s been amazing.” Amanda Parker 18 The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2021
In the previous issue of One, you detailed how those working in the arts from ethnically diverse backgrounds have been impacted by the pandemic, both from a health perspective and how it has impacted the sector. As we rebuild, how can we make sure that their needs and those of the sector are prioritised? As a sector we need to prioritise two things: we need to think carefully about what we value and what we consider to be quality, and at what cost quality and value comes. I don’t think that you can have something that can be high quality if the process of creating it is harmful. Value and quality - how we value the work we create and the people who make it - have to be one and the same with care. If we frame everything within that, that care and quality are integrated and integral, then we would naturally give budget provision ensuring we have processes and systems in place to provide that care, in the pursuit of quality. More succinctly, I think we need to ensure that uppermost in our considerations of creativity are putting aside budget for making the process kind, welcoming and harm free. So budgeting is important. I think from that comes the natural requirement of measuring and monitoring. It’s such a truism to say “what’s not measured isn’t counted, isn’t valued”, but it’s very true. It’s making sure we have a robust means of measuring what we do. I think the last part of how we make sure needs are prioritised is to create a means by which people can give voice to when situations are not working
for them, without suspicion, without fear; with confidence that action will be taken as a result of it. Those are the priorities: measuring it, putting budget to it and making sure there is a means for individuals to not just call out behaviours but to have action taken. Late last year, your organisation, Inc Arts, partnered with One Dance UK, Society of London Theatre, UK Theatre and others on a series of online conference sessions Speak - Listen - Reset - Heal. It was heartening to see leaders from hundreds of UK performing arts organisations actively engaging in the issues in a safe space to share perspectives, educate and commit to implementing change. What were some of the key positives you took from the process? What I took from the process is the huge disparity in understanding of where we are as a sector. There are real harms we have done to people who have experienced racism, and others who have protected characteristics, as result of their lived experience. There’s been very little diffidence; there is fear, there is anxiety. It’s understandable: there’s fear and anxiety in all areas of conversation where change is required. The appetite for change and passion for true allyship has been really exciting. We have seen many advocates from nondiverse backgrounds who have helped support their colleagues and peers to reach greater understanding. Many have rallied, reassured and persuaded people to engage with and trust in the process and commit to a process of change.
