Representation Matters - Except for Artists

Amidst the global celebration of creativity on World Art Day and World Creativity and Innovation Week, it’s time we acknowledge a glaring oversight: the absence of artists in the very spaces where decisions about our futures are made.

As an Emmy-winning, Asian American filmmaker and Founder of Create2030 who has dedicated the past two decades to filmmaking and curating diverse artists within the UN/NGO sphere, I’ve witnessed a remarkable surge in recognition for the arts and culture movement.

Yet, the reality hasn’t matched my aspirations.

In envisioning an inclusive ecosystem, I imagined artists as legitimate stakeholders, our entertainment prowess complemented by our creative thinking and problem-solving skills. However, similar to the youth movement within UN circles, what I’ve encountered is a landscape rife with tokenism, unpaid labor, and a glaring lack of representation.

Representation matters. Direct representation for artists in international policymaking forums could potentially enhance the visibility and impact of our voices to ensure meaningful participation and engagement. However, the current system relies on indirect representation through established channels, such as UN entities, cultural organizations (mainly from Europe) and civil society groups, to advocate for the interests of artists on a global scale.

One of the most disheartening aspects of the current state of affairs within the arts and culture movement is the prevalence of poor leadership appointments.

Time and again, we witness positions of influence being filled by individuals who not only lack diversity but also exhibit a profound ignorance of our profession. A glaring example of this is the tendency to appoint individuals of predominantly white backgrounds to leadership roles within arts and culture initiatives, regardless of their actual experience or understanding of the field. This perpetuates a cycle of exclusion and marginalization, where opportunities for advancement are unfairly denied to those who possess genuine expertise and insight.

The consequences of these poor leadership appointments are profound.

By entrusting key decision-making roles to individuals who lack a deep understanding of the arts and culture landscape, we risk sidelining the voices of those who are truly invested in the advancement of our profession. Instead of fostering an environment conducive to growth and innovation, we find ourselves grappling with leadership structures that prioritize personal enthusiasm for art over genuine industry expertise.

If we genuinely uphold the principles of collective action and multistakeholder engagement, it’s imperative that we afford artists the agency to shape policies directly impacting their lives. This goes beyond mere “arts contests” or symbolic gestures.

Meaningful engagement demands the establishment of an Arts Envoy Office, Arts Council, or designated Major Group or Other Stakeholder, equipped with individuals who share our lived experiences, understand industry standards, and champion our livelihoods. It’s time to move beyond token gestures and usher in an era where artists wield genuine influence in the policymaking arena.

As the world gears up for the UN Summit of the Future this September where representation is a prominent theme, we must collectively commit to challenging this status quo and demand leadership that reflects the diversity and complexity of the arts and culture sector. This sector, considered one of the fastest-growing in the world, stands as a powerful enabler of sustainable development.

We must advocate for inclusive appointment processes that prioritize merit and expertise, ensuring that those who lead our organizations and shape our policies are truly representative of the communities they serve.

Only then can we begin to dismantle the barriers that hinder progress and pave the way for a more equitable and vibrant arts ecosystem.