The role of cultural organisations in matters of equity, diversity, and inclusion

ABSTRACT

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) issues are relevant to all areas of society, including the cultural sector, which is characterised by systemic discrimination. Our research question is: how do artists and cultural workers perceive the role of cultural organisations in addressing EDI issues in the Canadian cultural sector? We conducted 65 semi-structured interviews with Canadian artists and cultural organisation workers to investigate this question. Our results show the difference in perception between artists and cultural organisation workers, particularly regarding grant programmes that promote equity, the role of education, and of cultural organisations. All agree on the importance of promoting EDI in the cultural sector. However, artists and cultural organisation workers sometimes have different ideas about how EDI can be promoted. Results point to better EDI training for workers in cultural organisations, more long-term funding for EDI projects, better communication of EDI initiatives, and better sharing of best practices among organisations.

KEYWORDS:

• Equity
• diversity
• inclusion
• cultural sector
• artists
• cultural organisations

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Jacques-Bernard Gauthier, Léah Snider, Maud Loranger, and Peter Roberts for their support in this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research project was supported by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Insight Development Program.