Elevating voices of the Global Ethnic Majority with Transform, a city takeover by New Art Exchange

Firstly, for those new to the term, can you explain what the ‘Global Ethnic Majority’ is?

Saad: The term 'Global Ethnic Majority' refers to individuals and groups that are collectively the majority globally but may be underrepresented or marginalised within specific societal contexts, particularly in the West. This includes people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual heritage, indigenous to the global south, and those racialised as ethnic minorities. At NAE, we use this term to highlight the importance of these voices in reshaping arts and cultural narratives to reflect a more global perspective.

Why is it important to support Global Ethnic Majority leadership within the arts?

Saad: Supporting Global Ethnic Majority leadership within the arts is crucial for fostering a truly diverse and vibrant cultural ecosystem. It ensures that the arts reflect the rich tapestry of human experiences and perspectives, enhancing creativity and innovation. More importantly, it helps in challenging and changing the prevailing narratives, enabling a more inclusive and equitable cultural dialogue that resonates with a broader audience.

What is the Transform programme all about?

Saad: Transform, a City Takeover is designed to celebrate and elevate the leadership, creativity, and cultural stewardship of the Global Ethnic Majority in Nottingham. This extensive collaboration involves fourteen major cultural organisations across the city. It's not just a festival; it's a movement towards redefining how cultural narratives are shaped and sustained. Our goal is to provide a platform that not only showcases diverse talents but also engages with the community to rethink traditional cultural frameworks.

Saziso: From my side of things, it’s about creating real opportunities for talent in the city, both new and established, and enabling their journey towards leadership within their mediums. I am very aware of the tokenism that happens in the sector, and for me this is about real, meaningful relationships and sustainable careers that hold talent and expertise that go beyond box ticking. With the new/emerging creatives who are part of this programme, mentorship, training and introductions to new networks have been an integral part of the process of the development of their work, to ensure they have the tools to take their practice to the next level from artistic, critical and executive aspects.

This isn’t your first programme aimed at increasing diversity and representation in the cultural space. Can you tell us about some of the successes NAE have had in the past?

Saad: Over the years, NAE has spearheaded several initiatives that have significantly impacted the cultural landscape. These include pioneering diverse programming that reflects the community's rich diversity, supporting emerging and established Global Ethnic Majority artists, and leading national discussions on diversity in the arts. We have recently received a substantial increase in our funding to deliver more work and impact within our area of focus. This came both a recognition of the importance of NAE’s mission and its future ambitions.

Saziso, you’re delivering a programme called ‘What Would I Be Without Everybody?’ - what’s that going to feature?

Saziso: The programme is inspired by community and care. There will be an exhibition in NAE’s Mezzanine Gallery, a music programme, film, talks, a podcast and career development opportunities for emerging creatives.

Can you tell us about some of the artists who are performing? We’ve seen a few local and a few national names on the line-up.

Saziso: Nottingham rapper and poet Jah Digga was commissioned to create a song in response to the title of the programme, which was released on 23 April and is available to watch and listen to on our website and various platforms online. The accompanying video was done by Jamal Sterrett, who many will know as an exceptional dancer. He’s also an incredibly talented filmmaker.

Through the programme, I supported the production of Gugulethu, a short film by the new Nottingham-based film production company Baobab Pictures, in collaboration with Bristol-based Brownstone Studios, with a majority Nottingham production crew. Alongside the film, we’ll be hosting a half-day workshop for filmmakers on how to navigate the industry beyond production. There will be music sessions, which will feature Jayson Wynters, a Birmingham-based DJ, and Sekuru, a Zimbabwean mbira player, singer and storyteller. There will be talks with popular figures such as Elijah, known for his lectures on navigating the music industry, and a conversation with renowned artist Lakwena Maciver. I am also really excited to have Mikhalis Webster-Ĩacovou on board with Each One, Teach One, a four-part podcast series in which he has interviewed four East Midlands creative leaders who centre care and community within their work. The guests include Dr. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, of the fantastically talented Kanneh-Mason family of classical musicians, Courtney Rose of Take 1 Studios, Christine Katerere of Green Hustle, and Martyn Ewoma, founder of Sludge Mag. The podcast was co-produced by myself and my colleague Kyle Futers, NAE’s Executive Producer.

You’re working with fourteen major organisations in Nottingham on this. Who are they? Can you tell us about the part they will be playing?

Saad: We are working with a collective of inspiring local organisations and each plays a critical role in co-curating and participating in the Transform City Takeover and brings a unique perspective and resource to ensure the festival's success. These organisations include Backlit, Bonington Gallery, Broadway, Fabric, Lakeside Arts, New Perspectives, Nottingham City of Literature, Nottingham Contemporary, Nottingham Playhouse, Primary, Theatre Royal and UK New Artists. Their involvement is integral to our strategy of creating a city-wide impact, ensuring that the leadership and creativity of the Global Ethnic Majority are celebrated across all corners of Nottingham.

What else is happening at NAE that you’d like our readers to know about?

Saad: NAE is continuously involved in various projects and initiatives that push the boundaries through reimagining the role of art galleries and cultural organisations in shaping the future. We are particularly excited about the recent launch of the VOICE Assembly, a groundbreaking initiative that integrates a permanent Citizen Assembly into our leadership structure. This model not only amplifies diverse community voices but also ensures that our programming and strategic decisions are deeply aligned with the needs and aspirations of the community we serve. Our work with citizens groups has already begun to influence our approach, guiding us toward more democratic and inclusive cultural leadership. As we move forward, this initiative will continue to shape our projects, ensuring that they are innovative, responsive, and truly reflective of our diverse community. This commitment to inclusive leadership exemplifies our dedication to setting new standards for cultural institutions globally.

Transform, a City Takeover launches Thursday 23 April with events running until 22 September. “What Would I Be Without Everybody?” events are free but booking may be required. To check out the programme, head to nae.org.uk

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