In what ways do diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility foster healthy arts organizations, and a healthier culture at large?

“I've spent at least the last 10 years, probably longer, really thinking about that question,” Rayanne Haines says.

Haines, an award-winning poet and writer who teaches Arts & Cultural Management at MacEwan University, is preparing to unpack that at this month’s Arts Exchange. As organized by St. Albert’s Cultural Services branch, Arts Exchange is a semi-regular meet up for local artists to connect, share ideas, and get involved in larger conversations. This time, the topic is “Art as a Reflection of Identity and Community,” which will bring Haines together with an incredible panel to explore those ideas. After all, art is often where new perspectives are first encountered, she notes.

“Most of the time, arts communities or artists are the people that are challenging perceptions and norms,” Haines says. “This is what art does. It asks us to challenge; it asks us to be the thinkers of change. And so artists themselves are often the people that are at the forefront of facilitating change and instigating change, in a way that it's harder for big corporations or big institutions to be able to facilitate as quickly.”

The panelists are all artists of varied backgrounds, including Haines, actor/author Jesse Lipscombe, Métis fiddler Darla Daniels, and visual artist and educator Max Quilliam. Each will bring their own unique point of view to the conversation, which will span from highlighting and celebrating artists of diverse backgrounds, to fostering positive work culture, and ways to support and uplift individuals without bias.

Haines notes that in terms of exploring those ideas, even the language around how they’re presented can shape their perception.

“A lot of what I am seeing or thinking about is how much that conversation has changed over the past 10 years,” Haines says. “So understanding the term ‘intersectionality’, which didn't exist when I was first starting to think about these things. Recognizing that the languages have changed, but also recognizing the way we use language: for instance, rather than using the term ‘marginalized community’ or ‘minority communities’, I use the term ‘people of the global majority’. So recognizing the evolution of language in order to facilitate real change.”

Some conversations around these topics can feel challenging or awkward, Haines notes, but having them is how we push towards genuine progress.

“I often say to people, get comfortable with being uncomfortable because that's where real change is facilitated.”

Article written by Paul Blinov

Arts Exchange happens at 6:30pm on Thursday, November 20th at the Art Gallery of St. Albert.

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