Creating Boundaries

INDIGENOUS ARTIST

As with all types of work, it is important to create boundaries during your placement. It is not uncommon for organizations to ask for more than you originally agreed to and you may experience forms of tokenization. While many programmers are aware of this issue and are starting to do the research and work to avoid it, you may still experience it.

Establishing Boundaries

Boundaries are personal, and each artist who participates will have varying levels of comfort; remember this if you see another artist participating in work that you might not feel comfortable doing yourself.

When you start your placement, establish what you are comfortable doing and share this with the organization, so there is a clear understanding of expectations and deliverables. Also know that it is okay for these boundaries to change throughout your placement, as you get a better understanding and feel for the program.

Tips from artists:

“The ability to create boundaries is much easier if you have knowledge of the history of the culture that our art form originates from, that is the foundation or anchor in my opinion. . . All of this teaches you to value one’s own work, it is a high discipline and should be recognized as such, and when you are working with other organizations you create boundaries based on knowing the value of yourself and the work you create.”

—Kevin Cranmer “Remember it is ok to say ‘no, this is too much work’ or ‘I am not interested.’ It can be hard because you don’t want to be ‘offensive’ but your limits are important.” —Joslyn Williams

“If something doesn’t feel right then take a step back and analyze what the issue may be.” —Joslyn Williams