For the past two years, the Social Justice & Diversity in the Arts (SJDA) research group, founded at the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK), has developed projects and research exploring what it means to ‘move in socially just ways’ in and through creative practices: From creating inclusive spaces for dance students to finding wisdom in Black and migrant barbershops, founding a protest choir, developing a teaching module, and understanding gentrification from a migrant community perspective.
Celebrate SJDA’s 2nd anniversary with us on Wednesday, September 4th, at 19:30 (doors open at 19:00). The evening will feature a keynote by decolonial thinker Professor Rolando Vázquez (University of Amsterdam), presentations, performances, and the launch of SJDA’s new publication. This publication, reflecting on impactful projects and research approaches, will be available for €9, with a special student price of €4.50.
Program highlights:
- Introduction: Aminata Cairo and Rosa te Velde will discuss SJDA’s work and its impact, through a recorded video .
- Keynote: Professor Rolando Vázquez (University of Amsterdam) will reflect on the significance of SJDA’s initiatives.
- Live Poetry: Paulina Trejo Méndez will present a live poetic exploration of SJDA’s philosophy.
- Performances: Dance performance & resistance songs.
- Project Showcases: Short videos will offer a glimpse into creative research and artistic practices.
- Q&A Session: SJDA researchers will share their experiences and engage with the audience.Note: Due to personal circumstances, Aminata Cairo cannot join the program in person. Her contribution will be in digital form.
The Social Justice and Diversity in the Arts research group aims to contribute to knowledge development around social justice within artistic practice, education and research, both within the AHK and beyond.
Tuning in! is a research project that investigates the possibilities of the emergence of an 'embodied community' in an amateur choir that sings resistance songs at Aslan Muziekschool in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. What are the ways to connect to struggles here and elsewhere through singing resistance songs together? How does an amateur choir (of activists, students, parents, artists, teachers) become a community? What (embodied) skills can we use and develop through music-making that can help us create individual and communal transformation?
