Open Up: Presentation and Panel

What is the event?

We are pleased to invite you to join us on April 23rd for a presentation of our recently published report “Open Up: addressing the barriers facing Black and Black-Irish artists’ access to funding and opportunities” along with a panel discussion of the report.

The Research

We commissioned Dr Lucy Michael of Lucy Michael Research, Training and Consultancy to undertake this research after our 2021 Awards Data Report identified three areas for further investigation:

• the low number of applications from female Black or Black-Irish artists,
• factors affecting the significant increase of applications from male Black or Black-Irish artists in the music sector,
• factors affecting the quality of those applications

This report uncovers the systemic barriers that Black and Black-Irish artists face in the arts in Ireland, and makes recommendations for the Arts Council and arts sector to become more inclusive and accessible. 

The barriers faced by Black artists in Ireland in identifying and securing funding are numerous and interconnected. These barriers include a preference for more experienced artists, limited representation and opportunities, lack of mentors and support networks, insufficient training opportunities, biases in favour of familiar and accepted art forms, difficulties in accessing networks and joining groups, and reliance on connections for access to venues and opportunities.

This report includes a review and quantitative analysis of 919 ineligible applications across all relevant funding programmes, a literature review on the barriers faced by minority ethnic and migrant artists as well as barriers faced in the Irish labour market by Black and Black-Irish people, and research interviews with 21 interviewees.

You can view the full report here.

What can I expect at the event?

• Registration will be from 10.30am - 11am, during which tea and coffee will be served.
  

• The main event will be 2 hours from 11am – 1pm.

• The event will begin at 11am with a welcome from Interim Head of EDI at the Arts Council Hannah Gordis, who will MC the event.
  
  
• At approximately 11:10am, there will then be a presentation given by Dr Lucy Michael of Lucy Michael Research, Training and Consultancy talking through the findings of the Open Up report. This will be followed by a Q&A session.
  
  
• At approximately 12:25pm, there will be a panel discussion with artists and others active in the sector, discussing the Open Up report and responding to its findings. This will be followed by a Q&A session.
  • Panellists:
    • Aisha Bolaji
    • Ashley Chadamoyo Makombe
    • Dafe Orugbo
    • Esosa Ighodaro
    • Joe Odiboh
  • Panel Moderator:
    • Melatu-Uche Okorie

• After the main event, at approximately 1pm, there will be a casual networking session, during which lunch will be provided.

We will update the information on this page with additional details and provide updates to those who have booked tickets for the event in the coming days.      

Event Accessibility:  

We wish to ensure each individual's needs with regards to access, participation and safety are met in a holistic and caring way. 

• While we encourage attendees to consider masking to protect everyone from airborne illnesses, we are also conscious that everyone has different needs. Masking provides benefits as well as barriers to communication and participation, so we invite you to make the choice that is right for you. Please note that speakers will not wear masks while speaking on stage. High quality masks will be made available to everyone who wants to wear one.
  
  
• The event venue is a large, well ventilated theatre space that also allows people to social distance should they wish to do so.
  
  
• The event space will be a relaxed environment, so you are free to move around and come and go as you please.  
  
  
• If you need a sensory break from the event, the cafe space is available as a separate quiet seating area.

• The space is fitted with a hearing loop system. More information on this can be found at https://projectartscentre.ie/accessibility/.   

About the venue:

• The building entrance is at ground level with no lips on the door. The door can be opened using a push button on the exterior of the building.
  
  
• The event space is accessed by a wheelchair accessible lift, or by a flight of stairs.
  
  
• The venue is completely accessible for wheelchair users. Outside the building there is a wide footpath, but please note that the road and surrounding streets have a cobblestone surface.
  
  
• The venue is accessible by most Dublin Bus and Luas routes.
  
  
• An accessible parking bay is available approximately 100 metres away, across the street, directly outside the Clarence Hotel.
  
  
• A special €7 parking rate is available from Fleet Street car park.
  
  
• There are separate women’s and men’s toilets on the same floor that the event is taking place.
  
  
• There is an accessible toilet and gender inclusive toilets on the ground floor.

We can provide images and measurements of the building, event space and/or toilets on request.

For any questions, please contact the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team:

Sarah Carroll, Interim EDI Officer – sarah.carroll@artscouncil.ie

Hannah Gordis, Interim Head of EDI – hannah.gordis@artscouncil.ie