Settler colonialism and resistance in the local arts community
Date
2025
Authors
Bandy, Kiera
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Publisher
University Of Victoria
Abstract
This research is being conducted with the goals of investigating the current context for resistance to settler colonialism in the arts communities of Victoria, BC, and challenging the relevant dominant settler narratives and actions in both the arts and academia. This research participates in ongoing work towards decolonization with regards to galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM), with its research focus on the arts communities. As a settler undergraduate student with short work experiences in the GLAM sector, I come to this research through noticing contradictions between the decolonial language used and the depth of actions taken by colonial art institutions. I am influenced by the work of Indigenous feminists, and use a theoretical framework that recognizes the interconnectedness of settler colonialism and heteropatriarchy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people working at Legacy Art Gallery, the University of Victoria art museum, with questions centered around current obstacles and opportunities to resist are taking place in the local arts culture. A finalized version of this poster will be created as a public resource for undergraduate students who may be considering entering, or have already entered, the arts and culture field.
Description
Keywords
Indigenous feminisms, resistance, arts, communities, decolonization, unsettling, settler colonialism