Diversity in the Arts in Boulder

Diversity in the Arts in Boulder is the topic under discussion at the Dairy Center for the Arts on Wednesday October 26th. It’s part of the HOVAB celebrations (History of Visual Arts in Boulder.)

Dr. Alphonse Keasley, one of the panelists, has experience in diversity issues and the arts community. He is currently the Associate Vice Chancellor in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement At CU Boulder, and he is formerly the president of the Boulder County Arts Alliance.

Dr. Keasley says that diversity has been part of the arts community for a while, but is a work in progress.  “When I was serving as the chair for the Boulder County Arts Alliance, we were looking at ways in which to make sure we were able to emphasize diversity in any grant writing that we were requesting from the community, we were looking for different ways to present to contemporary artists, as well as bringing in individuals who were involved in the arts from diverse backgrounds.”

There is an intersection between those creating the arts and those experiencing the arts, and Dr. Keasley says cultivating diversity is crucial for both those groups.

“It begins with the artists being able to do their work, to actually be able to be productive and then there’s a need to cultivate the audiences.”

The “Diversity Roundtable” happens Wednesday, October 26, 6:30 PM at The Dairy Arts Center, Gordon Gamm Theater, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO. 80302. It will be moderated by Elvira Ramos, Community Foundation, with participants Dr. Alphonse Keasley, Philip Hernandez, Glenda Russell, Ava Hamilton, Benita Duran, and Nikhil Mankekar. , free and open to the public.

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