Making Connections Seminars
Diversity in Projects (75 participants) and Diverse Audiences (76 participants)
Making Connections Seminars offer a series of one-day professional development events for early career gallery educators
(including freelance and artist educators). They include presentations, case studies, workshops and discussion. Two
modules have been developed to focus on issues related to diversity and have been run in several regions of England.
Toolkits were developed to support each seminar and are available to download here, or can be ordered from
engage
for 7.50 each (contact
info@engage.org or 020 7490 4690).
Diverse Audiences Toolkit
Diversity in Projects Toolkit
Diverse Audiences
This seminar explored ways of meeting the needs of a wide range of gallery users by discussing diversity in the broadest
terms and developing strategies for inclusion which are sensitive to different audience's needs; looking at ways to
develop ongoing relationships with different support agencies and working together to conceive accessible activities
and programmes; discussing how to research and consult on appropriate methods of learning and integrate the information
into the education programme; identifying the gallery's strengths and weaknesses in relation to the needs of different
audiences; addressing how to promote and encourage good practice across the organisation.
This seminar aimed to address the theme of Diverse Audiences in the broadest terms by:
Establishing methods of good practice:
- Discuss issues of diversity in the broadest terms and clarify our own attitudes towards different audiences.
Be informed about needs, issues and sensibilities while being open-minded and avoiding the dangers of being patronising or worthy?
- Prioritise which audience groups to concentrate on within the parameters of the gallery.
- Where can we seek advice and support on these issues, are there publications, working groups, advisors who can help and where can we find them?
- Consider methods of evaluation and documentation appropriate for different groups.
Identify the statutory issues in working with all types of audiences:
- Recognise the constraints of statutory categorisations and funding priorities e.g. Local authorities, Arts Council, Government how do these factors affect our attitudes and programming?
- Does the gallery have audience development priorities that have to be met?
Discuss issues of exclusivity within diverse groups:
- Can galleries offer the potential for bringing people from different sections of society together - young and old, different cultures, different needs blind and sighted etc.
- If this is part of our role, how can we be sensitive to different needs without getting involved in minority politics?
How can gallery educators contribute to the overall access policy:
- Can we be involved as advisors and implementers or do we have to fight for the importance of access for everyone?
- Consider the support policies required when working with different audiences: Child/vulnerable people protection policies, training for artists and gallery staff, suitable facilities, additional insurance, language support, transport etc.?
Diversity in Projects
This seminar included:
- Good practice in project management
- Building teamwork and brokering new partnerships
- Involving freelancers and encouraging diversity in participant groups
- Recruitment and promotion of workforce
Diversity in Projects reviewed and broadened recruitment and project management practices within galleries and included:
- Recruitment and support of artists and freelancers from diverse backgrounds.
- Practical guidelines for good practice in project management and recruitment including equal opportunities.
- Finding and working with new partners and specialists from diverse and minority groups.
- Maintaining good dialogue with partners and building teamwork
- The role galleries can play in bringing people from different sections of society together - young and old, different cultures, different needs etc.
- Problem solving - the role of the Gallery Educator as broker.
Creative and practical project management:
- Maintaining flexibility during the development and realisation of projects
- Training for artists and gallery staff, suitable facilities for colleagues with special needs, language support, transport etc.
- Where to find advice and support - publications, working groups, advisors etc
- Appropriate means of evaluating and documenting projects
- Understanding statutory obligations and funding priorities of Local authorities, Arts Council, Government bodies with regard to workforce diversity and disability.