Thread by @reeraw

i lasted three years in an institutional space. after seeing my former museum’s BLM letter, i knew i had to hold myself accountable to Black artists, collectives and organizations in speaking out: link.medium.com/ePx9Suzxb7 #MuseumsAreNotNeutral

TY everyone for signal boosting + supporting this call to BLM action. it means a lot. i want to open this space up to acknowledge + promote the people/orgs i cited in the text, as well as those who directly supported its drafting. pls RT, drop coin, etc. THREAD:

first off, this work is ongoing. how can you support? by recognizing #museumarenotneutral, and demanding #artsaccountability and #museumtransparency. as a constituent, you have power. Here’s how you can use it: instagram.com/p/CBO36rhpAsU/

igho diana led the @VibeArts’ project mentioned in the text. she is passionate about cultivating communities of/for Black folks to prioritize their wellness + practice self-care, in community. support her wellness consultancy @EGOinitiative: linktr.ee/egoinitiative

a key resource i cited was @artstuffmatters's social justice and museums resource list: docs.google.com/document/d/1c4… she is the founder of #museumarenotneutral + accepting reparations: paypal.me/LATANYASAUTRY venmo: latanya

another key resource has been @adriannerussell's thought leadership. as co-founder of #museumsrespondtoferguson, she has been a longtime museum activist, and her work needs to be recognized and resourced. she is a writer for hire. support her: paypal.me/adriannerussell

felicia-alexsandra morrison is a project manager of creative engagements + architectural works. she gave me the courage to write this, contributing critical feedback. read her recent text on the architectural features + styles of the ms5 family home: medium.com/@famorrison/ar…

katherine earl is a program director, mixed media artist. she was @ArtStartsTO program director from 2001-15 and did incredibly valuable work. she is a mentor + reviewed an early draft. she now consults on policy change + strategic envisioning. hire her: linkedin.com/in/katherine-e…

celia zhang is an advocacy-driven digital media strategist. she is a former @gardinermuseum POC staffer who also spoke up + was disciplined. she helped corroborate my account. she asks you email + call gov’t reps + stakeholder to defund TO police NOW: bit.ly/defundTPS

.@safia______ is a curator + arts programmer. she reviewed an early draft. she most recently curated interlude, an @ArtGallBurl group exhibition of works meditating on the concept of rest and the necessary spaces carved out for pause + preservation: artgalleryofburlington.com/event/interlud…

.@AleHiguera1 is a visual thinker, photographer, videographer, projection designer + overall boss creative. she reviewed an early draft. here’s a recent video commission she did for TO live's living rooms programme: instagram.com/tv/B_n1vC-ALcL…

soJin chun is an artist focused on narratives emerging in-between cultures in contemporary times. she reviewed an early draft. Her FLUX-CITIES project looks at the process of gentrification faced by Horto, a bicentennial community in Rio de Janeiro: culture.mississauga.ca/event/bradley-…

.@rosemheather is a journalist, curator + researcher with a specialization in blockchain. she provided valuable editorial guidance in a final draft. an archive of her work can be found here: rosemheather.com

.@artfcity reviewed a final draft. she currently leads valuable hands-on webinars for artists + curators. sign up for her upcoming 6/17 + 6/24 website tuneup for artists looking to maximize during COVID their website’s potential for online opportunities: paddyjohnson.com/book/website-t…

Lastly, big TY to #BTS #kpop #army. we are truly bulletproof! my bias is #taehyung + i purple u 4eva. pls RT this call to demand museums be more accountable + follow thru on a long-term plan of action in their #BLM #equityaudit work: medium.com/@rea.mcnamara/… #museumsarenotneutral

would be remiss to add that i truly believe we need to invest in Black cultural institutions. if you can, pls support @NiaCentre, a toronto-based non-profit that promotes an appreciation of arts from across the african diaspora: niacentre.org

so if you can, open that purse: canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/37146

adding to this thread to acknowledge my gratitude to onika powell, @VIBEArtsTO's AD. she, alongside GM raven lam, worked tirelessly to ensure the participating young BWOC artists were centred during the hair we are project. this is what Black leadership looks like!

i strongly encourage you to support this toronto-based community org. they are currently raising funds for all programs — as they have been affected by COVID-19 — but even more specifically raising funds for NExT, their Black youth mentorship program: vibearts.ca/news/

if my cerb-collecting ass can open up her purse, so can you. funny how i’m still not seeing that same transparent action from some cultural institutions with bigger pockets! 🙄🙄🙄 aNyWaZ pls donate: vibearts.ca/donate/