CLARK AND ANTIRACISM

In recent weeks, Centre CLARK has chosen not to speak out in order to actively listen to the voices of  Black, Indigenous and racialized people, particularly in Montreal, Quebec and across Canada.
 
Our members have formed an anti-racist action committee. We recognize the need to step up the actions we have taken in recent years so that they have a systemic impact on CLARK’s institutional structure. Ideally, this will be echoed throughout the arts community.
 
Current events require a concrete and urgent response. In support of the demands of the Black Lives Matter movement and all marginalized communities, and in the wake of uprisings in response to police brutality, CLARK will develop actions that will be implemented now, in the immediate future and over the long term to support the work of Black, Indigenous and POC artists, curators and writers.
 
Centre CLARK’s energy is due in part to its active membership. However, we recognize that it does not fully represent the diversity of our society and this needs to change. Consequently, we are committed to transforming the processes by which this membership is formed and to deconstructing the internal structures that reproduce systems of oppression. This process will be transparent and will be carried out in the coming months.
 
In closing, we would like to thank our colleagues at articule for writing and disseminating this open letter to artist-run centres in Quebec. Our self-governed spaces give us the ability to make real change. If you haven’t already, we ask you to join anti-racist, self-education initiatives. To learn more about dismantling systemic racism and oppression, please consult this compilation of resources available on the Internet.
 
We know that changing social behaviour can be long, painful and difficult, which is why we stand today to invite you to join us in doing this together. Now.
We are confident in the historic nature of this momentum.

– CLARK’s anti-racist action committee