New Music Edmonton prioritizes the reduction and eventual removal of systemic barriers in the arts faced by artists from equity-deserving groups, including artists of Indigenous heritage, racialized backgrounds, disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity.
Reconciliation is vital to forging a more equitable arts milieu, and New Music Edmonton is especially honoured to work with Indigenous artists in Amiskwaciy-wâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ and the Treaty 6 region. We are committed to understanding the meanings and obligations we have in taking part in a millenia-old history of sharing art in this place. As such, we are continually engaging in learning, relationship-building, and consultation to deepen our understanding of, and alignment with, the spirit of Treaty 6.
As presenters, we recognize that equal treatment does not always result in equitable outcomes, but instead can reinforce extant biases. As such, in contributing to a reliably equitable environment in our own presentations, the arts generally, and society as a whole, we endorse, and have adopted, practices whose outcomes promote fair distribution of opportunities. In our programming, for example, we favour open calls allowing artists to let us know what they would like to share. Every open call states that we especially welcome proposals by artists from equity-deserving groups. Further, NME works outside of its open calls to proactively invite performances, curation, and other contributions from artists from equity-deserving groups.
New Music Edmonton’s work continues to be deeply enriched, and is becoming far more relevant as it has moved on this path. Every step we take in representing the diversity of this community makes us more relevant to more people, and expands our perspectives, and deepens our understanding of what sound-based art can be. New and unexpected ideas abound as we benefit from the generous sharing of this work. It offers NME, and those who work with us, and attend our events, inspiration and a chance to learn.
The resultant expansion of perspectives and experiences is necessary in creating a vibrant and inclusive arts community, which benefits us all.
