On Oct. 7th, 2021 Arts for a Better Bay Area and SAFEHouse Arts initiated the 3rd Rebound - ARTS Equity & Recovery series: BIPOC Voices & Reflection on Local Arts & Culture. The event was designed and planned by an influential and thoughtful steering committee of local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) arts and culture leaders. Click 'continue reading' for a recap and materials, and to share your thoughts on reopening arts & culture!

The event hosted approximately 100 attendees. San Francisco's new arts agency leaders, Ralph Remington (San Francisco Arts Commission, Director of Cultural Affairs) and Vallie Brown (GFTA, Director), were introduced and addressed questions posed by the community through a survey that was conducted in summer 2021. Their statements were framed around arts/culture reopening, centering BIPOC voices.

Attendees were given time to break into small sharing and listening circles to reflect on the arts agency leader's statements and share their ideas on what they are doing in their organizations or communities.

In addition to the arts agency leaders, several local arts leaders supported the event to guide the breakout conversations—heartfelt THANKS to all that planned, supported, and joined this event. We want to call out and amplify additional thanks to planning leaders working on this event over the summer and into fall. Thank you!

Planning team: Aimee Espiritu (Espiritu Consulting / Board Member of Arts Education Alliance of the Bay Area), Anna Lisa Escobedo (Engagement Project Manager, YBCA), Ericka Scott (Co-Director, San Francisco African-American Arts & Cultural District), Ernesto Sopprani (Independent Cultural Worker, Artist Advocate, Cultural Strategist), Rodney Jackson Jr. (Co-Founder at San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company - BATCO)

We hope to continue to learn more from you! Our survey is still open that was used to plan this event. We'd love to hear from you if you haven't shared! This brief survey should take (3-10 mins.) - Survey on Reopening Arts & Culture.

Thanks again to all for an engaging event. We are learning as we go and in making space for these online forums how important it is to connect and support one another. We look forward to the next Rebound gathering with you - stay tuned + stay creative!

Materials

• Main room video recording
• Main room audio recording
• Closed Caption
• Chat transcripts
• Breakout room highlights and notes
• Planning Deck (used to share survey info and guide arts agency leader statements)
• Survey on Reopening Ars & Culture
• Drawing & notes from The Art Don't Stop

Event info: