Diversity Arts Australia unveils new ‘Anti-Racism & The Arts’ campaign at Sydney Opera House
Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) has launched Anti-Racism & The Arts, a new campaign to empower the creative sector to tackle racism and drive systemic change. The campaign officially launched today Wednesday, 2 April 2025, at the Sydney Opera House.
“This campaign is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action,” says Lena Nahlous, CEO of Diversity Arts Australia. “Through creative expression, education, and advocacy, we’re equipping artists, creatives and organisations with the tools to tackle racism and build a more equitable industry.”
“This campaign is about backing in our creatives and communities to lead change. Anti-racism in the arts isn’t optional—it’s essential for a fair and thriving creative sector that reflects the full breadth of who we are as a country,” said Diversity Arts Chair Cecilia Anthony.
At the heart of the campaign is the slogan “How to be Anti-Racist in the Arts”. The response to this is presented as five key actions that individuals and organisations can take to create lasting change:
- 1. Educate Yourself – Learn how racism operates and honour the perspectives of those who have experienced it.
- 2. Challenge Systems – Advocate for policies and practices that remove systemic barriers and promote equity.
- 3. Call It Out – Speak up against racism and discrimination.
- 4. Check Yourself – Build self-awareness around power, privilege, and impact.
- 5. Reflect & Recharge – Make anti-racism sustainable through self-care and community care.
The campaign combines creativity and education to present:
- • A bold visual “How to be Anti-Racist in the Arts” campaign featuring posters and postcards by artist Judy Kuo, available for organisations to display and download.
- • An interactive Racial Literacy Quiz, providing a reflective tool for individuals.
- • A network of Trained Campaign Presenters, following the completion of an anti-racism masterclass program delivered in partnership with TAFE NSW. These trained creatives are now available to deliver campaign presentations to organisations across the sector.
- • A dedicated online Anti-Racism in the Arts Resource Hub, offering tools, templates, and materials to support anti-racism work in the sector.
- • A dynamic social media campaign, engaging audiences in meaningful discussions about race and equity in the arts.
Artists and creative industry workers are also invited to participate in Diversity Arts’ recently launched “Tracking Racism in the Arts: Incident Survey.”
Get Involved
- • Take the Racial Literacy Quiz and explore the online Resource Hub at AntiRacism.Art.
- • Download campaign posters and postcards for display and sharing.
- • Engage on social media by amplifying key messages.
- • Register for a campaign presentation by one of our trained facilitators, bringing the conversation directly to your workplace or organisation.
Images from the campaign launch event today captured below by Isabella Moore for Diversity Arts Australia
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