Anti-Racism for Arts Administrators

Following this past weeks’ protests, we have decided to compile a list of resources for arts administrators to use to continue their anti-racist practices in both their personal lives and at work. We will also include a list of arts organizations that have put out statements against racism. Please remember, this is just a preliminary list of resources we have compiled. There are plenty of other resources, books, and articles to read so don’t let your research and education stop here! Please reach out to us if you want us to add anything to our list. 

“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist”

— Angela Y. Davis

“Being Antiracist” - National Museum of African American History & Culture

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Networks & Communities:

• Arts Administrators of Color

• Museum Hue

• Well-Read Black Girl

• DIAL (Diversity in Arts Leadership) Studio: Professional Development Series by Americans for the Arts

• Women of Color in the Arts

• Blackspace

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General Books About Race & Racism:

• “Women, Race, & Class” - Angela Y. Davis

• “Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” - Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD

• “For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood … and the Rest of Ya’ll Too” - Christopher Emdin

• “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” - Robin DiAngelo, PhD

• “So You Want to Talk About Race” - Ijeoma Oluo

• “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” - Michelle Alexander

Find many more here:

Anti-Racist Reading List from Ibram X. Kendi - Chicago Public Library

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Resources about Race & Racism in the Arts:

• “Justice, Equity & Inclusion” - Dance/NYC

• For Museum Leaders Who Want to do Better - American Alliance of Museums

• Arts & Culture Racial Equity Tools

• Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Community Guidelines - Fractured Atlas 

• Move Toward Equity: Perspects from Arts Leaders of Color - Arts Connect International

• Art Equity

• Cultural Equity - Americans for the Arts

• Decolonize This Place

• Anti-Racism Resources for Arts & Non-Profits - Fractured Atlas

• The Photographer’s Guide to Inclusive Photography

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A Few Statements from/about Art Institutions Regarding Black Lives Matter Protests and Anti-Racism:

• Open Letter to the Dance Community in Response to the Murders of Black People - Dance/NYC

• Museum Statements - ArtNews

• Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, LA Phil, AGMA & Other Companies Stand in Support of Black Lives Matter Movement - Opera Wire

• Crowdsourced Spreadsheet about Art Organizations Police Contracts

• An Open Letter to Arts Organizations Rampant with White Supremacy - Nana Chinara for Medium

It is important to remember that during this time, the arts and cultural sector is not exempt from the conversation. It is not a secret that while the arts have been talking more about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices, most institutions' leadership does not reflect what they claim to believe in. Organizations must do this EDI work internally, before they can begin to do the work externally. Although we are often taught otherwise, organizations are the reflection of the people who run it, not the people who it serves. This is what should be taken into consideration when reading the above statements - which organizations truly practice what they preach, and which are just demonstrating a performative action by condemning racism? This post by James Bennett, II on the WQXR points this out perfectly and is worth a read: On Taking Lip [Service]

YPA encourages all Arts Administrators to use the resources listed here, along with your own research, to begin or continue your anti-racist practice, both at home and at work.