This open group conversation discusses structural discrimination and systemic violence in cultural institutions.
In recent years, cultural institutions such as museums and art schools have been increasingly promoting “diversity” and “decolonization” through employing diversity workers, changing curricula, and seemingly giving more visibility to diverse perspectives. However, institutional structures remain predominantly white, able-bodied, heteronormative, male, and cis-gendered. As a result, these measures perpetuate and solidify colonial power structures, allowing tokenism and exclusion to persist, and othering non-hegemonic perspectives. Those fighting institutionalized discrimination within its structures frequently face systemic violence, further increasing their emotional toll and precarious working conditions.
💬 How can we address cultural appropriation, discrimination, and tokenism in cultural institutions?
💬 What practices can we develop to foster change from within?
💬 What alternatives can we create to institutional structures?
This event was co-moderated with Heba Daghistani (she/her)—a designer and researcher focusing on questioning social stigmas through research, design, and storytelling—and Abigail Schreider (she/her)—a service designer bringing discussions around issues such as care, diversity, inclusion, and collectively organizing the workplace.
“Let’s Talk” is an open conversation format to exchange working methods, research topics, and issues related to working in the fields of arts and design, culture, and education. It aims to connect across disciplines, support one another in professional struggles, and inspire to learn from each other’s questions, doubts, concerns, and victories.
The title of this event is an homage to Sara Ahmed, whose ideas have been and continue to be extremely influential to Futuress. In killjoy solidarity, we stand!
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