SEATTLE (September 7, 2016) —Changing the power dynamics in our society and addressing persistent race and social justice inequities is a fundamental pillar of the work of the City of Seattle and the Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS). Art allows us to express ourselves and see other people’s realities in ways that can break down barriers and lead to change within ourselves and our institutions. As one tool to address these inequities, ARTS is offering workshops addressing racial equity with the nationally renowned director of artEquity, Carmen Morgan in September.
“The artistic process is a powerful tool to help communities come together and foster understanding,” says Randy Engstrom, Director of the Office of Arts & Culture. “Artists and arts organizations can build bridges to bring us together and create solutions. It is integral for us to offer our arts organizations the training they need to address these issues and build a better, more inclusive, stronger society.”
ARTS is committed to ensuring that Seattle’s arts and cultural organizations reflect our community and have the tools and trainings they need to remove barriers to participation, and involve diverse cultures and underserved audiences and artists. Carmen Morgan will be in Seattle in September to offer two newly created workshops, Centering People of Color in the Racial Equity Movement (Sept. 21) and Becoming Effective White Allies by Supporting People of Color (Sept. 22). Scholarships are available for those working in the arts and cultural sector. Please contact Kathy Hsieh at Kathy.Hsieh@seattle.gov for more information.
Centering People of Color in the Racial Equity Movement with Carmen Morgan
Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 1– 4:30 p.m.
2100 Building, Community Room B
2100 24th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
What do we people of color (POC) working towards racial equity need to help us feel supported, safe, and better able to be our full selves rather than token representatives of our race? How can we stay engaged in the movement and stay motivated against potential burn-out? Covering self-care techniques to strategies for POCs working in predominantly white organizations or running our own POC-led institutions, this workshop creates space for and prioritizes the needs of POCs. Class size 25. $150/person. http://artequity.bpt.me/
Becoming Effective White Allies by Supporting People of Color with Carmen Morgan
Thursday, September 22, 2016, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, West Room
104 17th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
This workshop is aimed towards those who want to be more effective white allies by learning how they can better support people of color in working towards racial equity. White people have an important role in undoing racism in this country. There are specific strategies that they can take on to help create greater equity in how the movement advances forward. This session will be most effective for white allies who already have an understanding of white privilege and are ready to partner more authentically with people of color. Class size 25. $150/person. http://artequity2.bpt.me/
Carmen Morgan is a national consultant leading conversations at the forefront of the field on equity, diversity, and inclusion issues. She is the founder and director of artEquity, a national program that provides tools, resources, and training to support the intersections of art and activism. She has provided leadership development, organizational planning and coaching for staff, executives, and boards for over 100 non-profit organizations. She is on the faculty of Yale School of Drama where she addresses issues of identity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.
Morgan’s work is rooted in popular education, community organizing, and a commitment to social justice. She remains dedicated to community building and activism, and has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years.
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The Office of Arts & Culture, in partnership with the Office for Civil Rights, is committed to addressing, and increasing community-wide awareness about, existing inequities so that we, along with our cultural and community partners, can most effectively work together toward a vision of racial equity. Seattle Presents Gallery features a variety of immersive installations, curated exhibitions pulled from the city’s Portable Works Collection, resident artists, and original artworks. The gallery presents both emerging and established artists and curators, and provides all who pass by the opportunity to engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences.
