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So I started getting involved with some local activist groups. The groups are mainly young liberals doing anti-oppression work. They come from a variety of jobs, and I'm often the only person who works in the 'fine arts' in many of the groups. 1/23
So I started getting involved with some local activist groups. The groups are mainly young liberals doing anti-oppression work. They come from a variety of jobs, and I'm often the only person who works in the 'fine arts' in many of the groups. 1/23
It's truly been eye opening about people’s perception of classical music as a whole and the perception of individuals that are ‘classically trained’ musicians. It has really shown me how much our music, image, personhood, etc....2/23
has been co-opted by the white, conservative donors, audience members, and BOD's that often support (or are perceived to support) our music organizations financially. 3/23
One example (of many) that has really weighed heavily on me….
The group I'm involved in is working on putting pressure on city council members to cut funding for the local police department and direct those funds to other resources that could better serve the community. 4/23
The group I'm involved in is working on putting pressure on city council members to cut funding for the local police department and direct those funds to other resources that could better serve the community. 4/23
One of the strategies to do this, is to look for each council person's 'pressure points' or community orgs. that endorse them, and get written statements about their thoughts on anti-racism, defunding the police, etc. 5/23
Many of the orgs. we approach are 'x' Democrat group, unions, neighborhood associations in their district, donors, etc. 6/23
However, doing research on the council people, I found many of them participate in local music groups (i.e. they sing with the civic chorus, are 'avid' supporters/donors of the symphony or opera, or support other art's orgs. in the city.) 6.5/23
So I suggested that we also approach these arts org. to get their statements on anti-racism, anti-oppression, etc. Especially since many of the arts orgs. in my area have taken a stance not only on racism/oppression in the arts but also in the local community. 7/23
When suggested - I was met with laughter. And the comments...
"You know symphonies don't give a fuck."
"I doubt classical musicians care."
"The civic chorus is just a place for rich white people to network." 8/23
"You know symphonies don't give a fuck."
"I doubt classical musicians care."
"The civic chorus is just a place for rich white people to network." 8/23
I'm not going to lie - it stung. It stung because I know plenty of people in classical, academic, new, contemporary music who are trying to do the work.
But this is something we are going to have to deal with. 9/23
But this is something we are going to have to deal with. 9/23
It's at the point (and I would argue it probably always has been) where our art, our livelihood, our brand/image, and our personhood (which we can talk about more in-depth) has been co-opted by the rich white people who use us as a status symbol. 10/23
I’ve been trying to process what this means for us, and specifically me as a ‘classically trained’ musician that works in an arts org. on the admin side. 11/23
Especially since we have the ability to either participate in or sit on the sidelines of the largest civil rights movement of many of our times. 12/23
I don't think all art orgs. has to be on the ‘frontlines,’ but I think to create a truly inclusive and just environment, we will have to completely overhaul our development/donor practices, BOD requirements and work environments. 13/23
Which aren't new suggestions and have been suggested by people doing this work much longer than I - but these experiences really drove home the urgency in which we need to make these changes. 14/23
Instead of my usual rant, I really want to suggest some reading/podcasts/resources (that will hopefully lead to action items) that have been informing my anti-oppression work with the current arts org. I am working for.
And I'd love to hear y'all's suggestions. 15/23
And I'd love to hear y'all's suggestions. 15/23
1. Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva - https://www.decolonizingwealth.com/ 16/23
2. The Revolution Will Not Be Funded Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence: Suggested by a colleague. 17/23
https://www.dukeupress.edu/the-revolution-will-not-be-funded
https://www.dukeupress.edu/the-revolution-will-not-be-funded
The New Philanthropists - not reading or podcast, but an org. In ATX doing good work helping build more inclusive BODs. 18/23 https://www.tnpaustin.org/
Emergent Leadership Strategy - I would suggest anything by Adrienne Maree Brown. If you're looking to decentralize your leadership. 19/23
http://adriennemareebrown.net/book-me/
http://adriennemareebrown.net/book-me/
Many of these were suggested by amazing colleagues. 20/23
As an individual, I’ve been working on my org's Anti-Oppression strategy and acting as a facilitator for many the A-O discussions we’ve been having. 21/23
And I would love to get other people’s eyes on our strategy (it’s not perfect by any means) and have more people to bounce ideas off of. 22/23
I love y’all. Keep being yourselves. And let’s tear shit down and build something better. 23/23
