Anti-racist Statement

Racism is alive in Canada, and we have a direct responsibility to act. Inter Arts Matrix is located inside The Haldimand Tract, in the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our work is done on stolen land. There is an urgent ongoing need to redistribute power and resources, to centre voices of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC), and to support the work that is already being done to build diverse creative communities.

We at Inter Arts Matrix are committed to the ongoing work of anti-racism. These are the actions we are taking:

  • Reaching out to BIPOC for paid artist opportunities

  • Reaching out to BIPOC for board positions

  • Supporting existing and emerging arts organizations led by BIPOC

  • Maintaining anti-racism updates on the agenda at each board meeting in order to actively hold space for this conversation

  • Creating a budget specifically for anti-racist and intersectional learning and work

  • Continuously taking responsibility for individual self-education and co-education on racism and other forms of discrimination

  • Continuously soliciting feedback on the work we're doing and making changes in response to the feedback we receive

  • Annually reviewing the diversity of our projects, artists, board members, and programs

  • Annually improving this anti-racism statement and assessing our progress on the above goals

As we move forward, we deeply appreciate any feedback on our process, including difficult feedback from BIPOC voices. To get in touch please write to us using this form. (This form is designed to be as anonymous as possible, and Inter Arts Matrix is not collecting or storing any personal information. However, nothing online is truly anonymous - please keep this in mind as you provide feedback, and don't share anything you don't feel comfortable with.)

"We who believe in freedom cannot rest" – Ella Baker, 1964.