Vanier College Productions launched their first-ever BIPOC Artist Hub in the fall of 2021. The hub is open to all BIPOC artists and is created to be a safe space for all to express themselves and to join important group discussions.
“Vanier College Productions is committed to ensuring that our space is free from discrimination and harassment through accessibility initiatives, campus and community outreach, and through being in accordance with York’s values of respect, equity, diversity, and inclusivity,” says Danny Sylvan, associate producer of Vanier College Productions. “This led us to brainstorm ways in which we could engage with our students who study and/or have interests in the arts, but with a focus on creating a safe space where BIPOC artists in particular can connect.”
Alex Jyn-Li Cairns, hub director and a Durham-Region-based actor and voice actor is half Chinese and is proud to be a voice for mixed race individuals in the industry. She is passionate about listening to and helping amplify BIPOC voices through the hub.
“What I hope the students get out of the hub is a sense of community. Especially as an alumna, I know what having a space like the hub would have meant for me. It was difficult to breach big conversations regarding race issues within the arts when I was a student. I didn’t know who to talk to or even how to express my thoughts.
“If the hub has done anything in the last few weeks, I hope it has established a safe and open space where students know they can come to talk about anything they need to,” says Cairns.
“Building a community where BIPOC artists can see themselves reflected in one another further enhances and strengthens the creative collaborative process,” says Kotama Bouabane, a digital imaging technician in the department of visual art & art history. “Many BIPOC artists encounter social justice issues that can be challenging and difficult, but in turn it fuels their creative drive.”
“It’s important for these spaces to exist so individuals can come together to share, discuss, and create new meaningful relationships through their personal experiences.”
Kotama Bouabane
Natasha Bissonauth, an assistant professor in the department of visual art & art history, explains that it is critical for BIPOC artists to carve out spaces of expression. “Co-creating dialogue within such intentional contexts de-centres white criteria and reception and is an opportunity for unforeseen aesthetic connections and intimacies.”
“Being a BIPOC artist and theatre producer myself, I know the importance of having a space for us that is conducted by us to help navigate the many intricacies that come with being BIPOC and an artist across many art industries,” adds Sylvan. “I’m overjoyed that our team at Vanier College Productions has made a space such as the hub available to BIPOC students across the York community.”
The hub meets virtually on Tuesday evenings and BIPOC artists who are interested in getting involved can contact vcp@yorku.ca.
