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Publication
Culture

Kritische Diversität im Kultursektor - Reflektionen aus dem Forum Fair Culture 2020 - 2022

Publisher
UNESCO, Österreichische Nationalkommission
Year of Publication
2022
Abstract

With the ratification of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Austria has committed itself to creating framework conditions in which a diversity of cultural expressions can develop freely. The consideration of different social groups in the shaping of these framework conditions is central. The reflections of the series of events "Forum Fair Culture - Critical Diversity in the Cultural Sector", which took place from 2020-2022, were summarized in a publication. Under the guiding principle "Rethinking preferential treatment in a (post)migrant Austria," the "Forum Fair Culture" event series opened up the space for new discourse. The cooperation of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO with kulturen in bewegung enables a look into practice and a stocktaking of current conditions. The Fair Culture Forum took different perspectives and followed a bottom-up approach. The first event in December 2020 focused on the question of what fair international cultural exchange looks like. Based on this discussion, the question came to the fore, why internationalization is often a fig leaf for a lack of diversity in art and cultural institutions. In a workshop with BiPoC arts and cultural actors in April 2021, the questions on the current state of diversity policies in Austria's arts and culture sector, as well as the potential for improvement possible strategies that could be used to achieve radical diversity were addressed. Building on the workshop discussions and the desire to develop strategies critical of discrimination, three Strategy Labs were launched on June 29, 2021 at the Austrian Museum of Folk Life and Folk Art, to further discuss approaches, share ideas, and networking across communities. The publication represents a collection of reflections from the Fair Culture Forum and is intended to capture what was discussed and to highlight areas of tension as well as the corresponding options for action.

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