Conference asks why black and brown creatives earn less

Published: 9 January 2025
Reporter: Steve Orme

First conference: Opal22 Arts and Edutainment creative director Tara Munroe

A conference in Leicester is to ask why black and brown creatives earn 23% less than their white counterparts.

The All Shades of Brown Creative Conference will hear that less than five percent of black and brown creatives hold senior roles in the UK’s creative industry. Keynote speakers will include artist and activist Pogus Caesar and Gaylene Gould, a cultural strategist, curator and activist who has dedicated the last 30 years of her career to advocating for diversity and equity in the arts.

The conference is being organised by Opal22 Arts and Edutainment. Creative director Tara Munroe said, “our first conference is bringing together an amazing mix of creative professionals to lead workshops, stalls, exhibitions and performances.

“You’ll get to hear from inspiring artists like Jeneafer Jean-Charles MBE, known for her award-winning performances on black identity, Christopher Samuels, a multi-disciplinary artist blending social and disability activism into his work, and Art Reach, known for Journeys Festival and Impact Network for Creatives who’ll be providing 15-minute surgeries to aid creative practitioners seeking advice on their creative journeys.”

The event will be held from 10AM until 5PM on Thursday 27 February at The Venue, De Montfort University. Tickets cost £20 and can be booked through the Opal22 web site

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