To give thanks to the generations before us, we wish to acknowledge the land on which the festival is held. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to gather and let our ART SIDE OUT on this land.
ARTSIDEOUT stands in solidarity with BIPOC communities and acknowledges the systemic and institutional racism that continues to have a significant impact. ARTSIDEOUT also recognizes that there are many barriers within the arts that prevent the holistic inclusion and celebration of Black and Indigenous artists and creatives. As an organization, this has and continues to be an integral facet of our mission to create space for equity, inclusion, and the celebration of all voices. However, we also recognize that ongoing action must be taken in order to amplify BIPOC voices and actively break down barriers in the arts.
ARTSIDEOUT is committed to:
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Ensuring all organization members not only have knowledge about equity and diversity in the arts but also have access to education and resources about unconscious bias, systemic barriers in the arts, and how to actively implement inclusive practices
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Welcoming and amplifying art and art forms that challenge Western and colonial ideals about creative work and what it entails
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Staying authentic to our community in Scarborough and highlight the culture and diversity that is home to our neighbourhoods
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Continue working with our Advisory Board and various community resources to continue implementing concrete actionables to amplify the voices of BIPOC and especially those of the Black community at this time.