Equality and diversity in the arts

In our perspective, equality is not only about equal conditions for the sexes, but also about equality in relation to other visible and invisible markers of identity. Eg. racialisation, religion, sexual orientation, social class, age, functional variations etc.

Photo: Malthe Folke Ivarsson

These markers – and many more – interact at multiple levels and simultaneously, which can contribute to further discrimination. That is why we talk about intersectional equality when we talk about our work for equality in the arts. All artists, regardless of identity marker, must be able to work with their art without being met with discrimination, borderless behavior or violations.

We want to help create a culture in the art world where we can talk openly about – and jointly deal with – the above problems when they arise.

We will take responsibility for ensuring that art life includes everyone, across visible and invisible differences.

And we encourage all actors in the art world to do the same.

BKF therefore undertakes to:

  • have a focus on equality, diversity and representation in all the association's work. Internal e.g. in the composition of the union's board and working committee. And externally, e.g. in the BKF's appointment of representatives to the art life's councils and boards.
  • focus on how we ensure a safe and respectful working environment. Both internally in our own organisation, in the association's continuing education offer and externally in the art world.
  • draw up clear guidelines for how BKF handles cases of discrimination and/or violations.
  • continuously seek out, collect and share new knowledge about representation and discrimination in the art world.
  • take the initiative for dialogue, knowledge sharing and communication about equality and diversity in the arts, e.g. together with other trade unions, actors in the art world, interest organisations, the state and municipalities.
  • work actively to prevent discrimination in the arts, e.g. by training the union's trade union representatives and employees, as well as communicating and informing about new initiatives in the area.
  • continue to work actively for artists' equal pay, equal opportunities and broad representation throughout the art world.

BKF encourages:

  • all actors in the art world draw up equality and diversity policies.
  • all actors in the arts draw up clear guidelines for how to handle cases of discrimination and/or violations.
  • artists who experience violations or discrimination contact BKF's secretariat, which can help with legal advice and refer you to other forms of help.

Recommendations, guidelines and studies

BKF's accessibility documents

Accessibility documents are a common term for the documents: which og access riders. The documents aim to demand trust and transparency in the collaboration between visual artists and institutions and partners.

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Artists with disabilities

Artists with disabilities is a network that works for a more inclusive art environment, where artists, curators and art mediators with disabilities are guaranteed the same opportunities and resources as their able-bodied colleagues.

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BKF's equality and diversity policy

 

The equality and diversity policy has been adopted by BKF's board, October 2021.

The board undertakes to revisit this document at least once a year to assess whether there is a need to update/adjust the policy.

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Diversity in Danish art institutions, art museums and exhibition venues Recommendations and principles

The Danish Association of Visual Artists has prepared recommendations and five principles for how diversity, equality and real inclusion can be ensured in the activities, exhibitions, collections, dissemination and research of Danish art institutions.

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BKF guide: Mental working environment for visual artists

Here you get an overview of what you can do if you experience violations in your work as an artist.

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BKF survey 2020: #Metoo in the art world

In 2020, the Association of Visual Artists initiated a collection of testimonies about sexism in the art world. So far, the association has received approx. 40 inquiries about sexism, abuse and abuse in connection with education or work in the arts.

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The museums must take greater responsibility for inclusion and sustainability

It must become visible how the museums take care of their responsibility for a fair distribution and representation in their activities, collections and research, before there is a new museum act, writes Marie Thams in a speech today in the Altinget.

Set clear goals for diversity and equality

The Ministry of Culture's investigation into the gender distribution in art museums' purchases shows that there is a need for change in the Danish art institutions.
Representative for the Culture Committee

BKF met with the Folketing's culture committee

The Association of Visual Artists represented the Danish Parliament's culture committee on Friday at the Cultural Meeting in Mors and used the opportunity to speak about museum reform.

Greater inclusion and diversity must create real change in the Danish art institutions

The Association of Visual Artists today launches a series of recommendations to ensure diversity, equality and real inclusion in the Danish art institutions.

New issue of Fagbladet Biledkunstneren

Meet, among others, Sigrun Gunnarsdóttir, Thomas Seest, Søren Lose, Majken Overgaard, Crispin Gurholt, Helga-Marie Nordby and Stine Deja.

Does everyone have equal access to the art industry?

Diversity and inclusion were on the agenda at this year's national meeting.

The private foundations should take responsibility for equality and diversity

There is still an imbalance in which artists can be experienced at the big museums and biggest galleries. We believe that the private foundations should use their power to correct this, writes spokesperson Marie Thams in a speech in the Altinget.

The visual artist on accessibility in the art life

New report shows that artists with visible and invisible disabilities face serious barriers. In BKF's trade magazine, artists, art directors and researchers talk about accessibility in the art world.

'Need to talk openly about the barriers artists with disabilities face'

BKF will strengthen equality and diversity in the arts

In a new policy, BKF undertakes to consider equality and diversity in all the association's work: "We will take our co-responsibility for creating a better art life for everyone."

BKF seminar on climate, equality and art policy

How is the role of art and artists strengthened in climate policy? It was one of the questions the participants discussed at BKF's board seminar.

Join the new network for equality in the arts

Leader: Art and cultural institutions must commit to an equality policy

Copenhagen requires equality plans for cultural support

New proposal wants to do away with lack of equality in the cultural field. BKF proposes the same model introduced to ensure remuneration for exhibiting artists.

Equality is in trouble at the art museums