Visiontext inclusiviteit

Diversity, inclusion, representation: what’s in a word? And how does Flanders Arts Institute deal with these?

Flanders Arts Institute works for the professional arts field in the disciplines of the visual and performing arts and classical music. By “professional” we also mean “professionalising” or “with the ambition to professionalise”. Within our disciplines, we are there for artists as well as for those who provide guidance or support within the arts, independently or as an employee (art workers or art professionals in the broadest sense of the word).

Flanders Arts Institute operates within the framework of a management agreement (2023-2027) that it translates into a vision and mission and into annual action plans.

For us, “working for” means …

• Providing information about the sector, policy and financing sources
• Support with knowledge
• Bringing together and helping to strengthen networks
• Describing, researching, monitoring and promoting
• Inspiring, learning together and exploring innovative practices together

We aim to accomplish this ‘working for’ with attention to and inclusion of the widest possible range of perspectives linked to the diversity present in our society: regarding sex, gender, sexual preference, ethno-cultural background, skin colour, language background, religion or philosophy, socio-economic origin or situation, physical disability, age or generation. This includes perspectives that question or even challenge prevailing societal “norms”. Within the guidelines of our mission, our aim is to optimally reach, serve, represent and give voice to this range of perspectives. 

This ambition is a long-term effort and must be achieved step-by-step. “Step-by-step” does not mean “indecisively” – on the contrary. It assumes that you plan, phase and regularly call on expertise, both in terms of the content of your substantive work and the internal process that accompanies it. As an organisation, we implicitly adhere to certain social norms, the making explicit and deconstruction of which will take time and effort.

The 2023-2027 policy plan focuses on this: attention to ethno-cultural and linguistic diversity, knowledge building about (anti-) ableism and gender diversity, and research into social exclusion in the arts.

In addition, we aim for the broadest and most inclusive organisation possible. We will do everything we can to ensure that our digital and physical services, our offices, publications and activities are welcoming for all, including those who deviate from the social (white, heteronormative, able-bodied) norm. Racist, sexist or other discriminatory statements or behaviour are not welcome, not in our team – clear agreements about this are included in our internal regulations – nor in the context of our services and events.

We are committed to confronting people who make discriminatory statements or engage in such behaviour. We are committed to listening carefully to people who raise issues, and to gratefully accept and act on feedback.

We will determine our approach to all of this as much as possible in conversation with the people and structures involved. We are aware that change happens through trial and error, is sometimes painful, regularly leads to friction, and that making mistakes is inevitable. On the other hand, doing nothing is also a form of social neglect: Flanders Arts Institute must be there for everyone within the broad target group of professional artists and art workers for whom it works.

Have questions or comments about our vision on diversity, inclusion and representativeness? See any mistakes we might be making? We’re very grateful for any advice, corrections and suggestions. Please send these to  ann.overbergh@kunsten.be.