An Inclusion & Diversity Manifesto for the Arts in Highland
As part of 'MANIFESTOS from times of CRISIS' by Rossana Irvine
THURSDAY 25 MARCH 2021, 6:30PM, ONLINE VIA ZOOM
This manifesto workshop built on the informal 'Ubuntu// Daondachd// Humanity' conversation around intersectional topics and inclusion matters in the Highlands organised by artist Fadzai Mwakutuya (Afro Art Lab) in February 2021.
Circus were delighted to host a group of participants from that conversation to come together and make a manifesto, facilitated by artist Rosanna Irvine as part of her ongoing series ‘MANIFESTOS from times of CRISIS’. A participatory public art work in which groups of people create their own collective manifesto.
We would like to thank Rosanna for expertly guiding us through the process and Niall Gòrdan on the Isle of Skye for providing the Gaelic translation. This manifesto will inform our future direction as we continue to evaluate our working practices.
MANIFESTO
1. We value and embrace the Highlands – its culture, heritage and traditions. We respect this landscape and environment. We listen and learn the tales of the Highlands.
2. We believe that everyone has the right to be heard. We are open to listening and empathising.
3. We commit to developing a culture of inclusion in the Highlands – at a personal and institutional level.
4. We commit to being advocates for positive change; to use our power to challenge things that are oppressive; to influence complex intersectional issues around identity and intolerance.
5. We want to nurture an environment where we encourage more awareness and visibility of different life choices and identities.
6. We want to understand and celebrate our differences – and our common humanity – that is here in the Highlands already – and to prepare for increasing future diversity.
7. We will create spaces for people to encounter difference.
8. We recognise that processes of change take time and are fluid.
9. We invite conversations that open up possibilities …
GAIRM-FHOLLAISEACH
1. Cuireamaid luach air Ghàidhealtachd is gabhamaid gu teann rithe – a cultar, dualchas is traidisein. Tha meas againn air an dreach-tìre ‘s an àrainneachd seo. Bidh sinn a’ toirt feart air na sgeulachdan agus ag ionnsachadh bhuapa.
2. Creididh sinn gu bheil an ceart aig a h-uile neach air èisteachd. Tha sinn fosgailte ri èisteachd is co-fhaireachdainn.
3. Tha sinn dealasach gun tèid cultar com-pàirteachais a thoirt air adhart air Ghàidhealtachd – aig ìre phearsanta agus bhunaiteach.
4. Tha sinn dealasach air a bhith nar luchd-tagraidh airson atharrachadh dearfach; a bhith a’ cleachdadh ar cumhachd gus dol an aghaidh ainneirt; gus buaidh a thoirt air ceistean imfhillte a thaobh dearbh-aithne agus neo-fhulangas.
5. Tha sinn ag iarraidh àrainneachd a chruthachadh far am bi sinn a’ brosnachadh barrachd aire is mothachaidh a thaobh rogha-beatha is fèineachd.
6. Tha sinn ag iarraidh ar diofraichean a thuigsinn agus a cheilearadh – agus ar co-dhaonnachd – rudan a tha air Ghàidhealtachd mar tha – agus ullachadh airson barrachd iomadachd san tìde ri teachd.
7. Cruthaichidh sinn ionadan do dhaoine gus coinneachadh ri diofraichean.
8. Aithnichidh sinn gun toir pròiseas an atharrachaidh tìde agus gu bheil seo mar rud a ghluaiseas air adhart gu mall uaireannan.
9. Cuiridh sinn fàilte ri cainnt is còmhradh a dh’fhosglas na ghabhas dèanamh …