Toni Bell, Re-Present Media’s Impact Consultant, and Jennifer Crystal Chien, Re-Present Media’s Director, presented a workshop, Restorative Practices for BIPOC Arts Administrators, at the Arts Administrators Color Network Annual Convening on November 12, 2023 in Chicago.
This workshop focused on principles and practices for BIPOC arts administrators working within environments rooted in white supremacist culture. The vision was to focus on working sustainably and effectively amid predictable challenges that arise.
We discussed common institutional and interpersonal dynamics within white dominant culture organizations and introduced restorative practices and strategies within the areas of sustainability, recentering BIPOCs, and community building.
Concepts we covered included:
- Letting go of having to convince or get the approval of others and the idea that “struggle” is a necessity
- Engaging in strategic healing practices
- Making language, concepts, and attitudes from your cultural perspective(s) as the root of communications
- Acknowledging power differentials between groups by using Dr. Ken Hardy’s communication responsibilities
- Creating community, support, and programming that is needed without waiting for permission or funding
- Cultivating a collective rather than an individualistic mindset in work
- Understanding how to advocate for change while still creating and presenting art within your fields
The goal of this workshop was to support decolonization of participants towards healthier ways of relating to organizations, others, oneself, and the work, which relates to the conference theme of “We Will Flourish.” This session was intended for those who are BIPOC working with or inside white dominant culture organizations and environments and come from a collective empowerment cultural lens.