Racial equity in the arts discussed at Dublin seminar

Artists from various disciplines convened in Dublin city center to address racial equity within Ireland's arts sector. The National Seminar on Intercultural Competence and Racial Equity in the Arts, hosted by the intercultural social enterprise GORM and supported by The Arts Council and the Department of Culture, focused on the obstacles creative professionals face in advancing their careers. GORM founder and CEO Dr. Mamobo Ogoro highlighted the event's importance, aligning it with the government's national anti-racism strategy and noting a perceived gap in necessary actions identified through community and arts organization engagement. The seminar, held at Smock Alley theatre, featured a keynote address by Professor John A. Powell of UC Berkeley. Professor Powell discussed the complexities of integration, stressing the need for genuine participation rather than mere inclusion. He used the analogy of a wheelchair user on steps to illustrate how institutional barriers prevent equal access, questioning how to build structures where everyone truly belongs. Actor Ritik Gupta shared his 16 years of experience in Ireland, noting a potential disconnect between Irish writers and storytellers from diverse backgrounds. He advocated for increased co-creation, describing his acting journey as amazing but challenging, particularly in integrating into Irish culture. Gupta urged more collaboration in film and TV, envisioning Irish productions that reflect the global community without requiring creators to leave the country. Bajan-Irish writer and artist Tan Bridgeman, a Dublin resident for two years, expressed her affection for Ireland while detailing barriers artists encounter. She called for greater collaboration and co-creation among storytellers in the film and TV industries, suggesting that Irish shows could represent the world without necessitating international travel for major projects.

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It was really important to have this event due to the Government's national approach to anti-racism.