CREATIVES EMPOWERED
is inspired by and embodies what is truly possible when racialized talent are empowered to thrive.
Creatives Empowered is a federally incorporated virtual non-profit organization founded by Shivani Saini and Atelier Culturati, and made its inaugural public launch on November 16, 2020.
Our strong and growing membership demonstrates the need for this organization in Alberta, and is already proving that the talent does exist. Our ownership, leadership and board governance is 100% racialized, and all Alberta-based. It’s also important to know that Creatives Empowered inherently serves all IBPOC talent within the province.
OUR ULTIMATE VISION
To explore and encourage new and diverse ways of creating works that are inherently non-colonial. To create a more equitable cultural sector, that accurately reflects the world we live in. And to eliminate systemic racism within arts + culture.
OUR VALUES
We must be empowered to be ourselves and to create.
We are the creative talent that does exist.
How we engage with one another is just as important as the work we create.
Our presence is a right, and needs no apology, nor an explanation.
Our stories + cultures are ours to share, and best represented by us.
Creating spaces free of racial + unconscious bias, frees up our creative energy, and empowers our health.
Dismantling negative stereotypes of IBPOC professionals is essential.
Collaborating with allies should always be empowering – for everyone involved.
True inclusivity must be authentic – not performative or tokenistic – and accountability is a prerequisite.
OUR MISSION: CORE ACTIVITIES & SERVICES
Creating a Safe & Supportive Community
for IBPOC Artists + Creatives
By creating spaces to connect and share regularly; to discuss our ideas, interests, needs and the issues racialized beings face in the cultural sector.
We host regular members-only meetings and continue important dialogue online.
Within this is an opportunity to direct our members to other types of support that they also need (i.e. mental health resources).
Advocacy & Representation
For racialized talent and their needs within the cultural sector, by creating dialogue, relationships and partnerships with racialized and ally individuals, organizations and stakeholders (private and public), both provincially and nationally.
Our approach is collaborative facilitation, that seeks productive input from all respective parties.
Increasing Professional Opportunities
For racialized talent in film + tv, media and the arts – from emerging to established – and advocating for racialized talent to have creative and financial control over their narratives and works.
To combat systemic racism we must work directly with IBPOC talent and Alberta’s cultural sector to create authentic and equitable professional opportunities for racialized talent. This transcends the notion of hitting “diversity targets”, which is inherently discriminatory and tokenistic.
Providing Empowering + Educational Resources, Events & Professional Development
For racialized artists + creatives by collaborating with our membership to holistically create regular and engaging programming they see themselves reflected in, and benefit from.
We regularly provide new resources, events and professional development that resonate with racialized artists + creatives, and Alberta’s cultural sector.
Networking, Collaborating & Sharing with Others
With like-minded individuals and organizations in the cultural sector across Canada, and worldwide; so we can gain invaluable knowledge, resources and skills through empowering interactions that will serve racialized artists + creatives and powerfully augment all our activities.