“A great windstorm swept over the world…
Since the wind came and turned the entire world around… The old paths are no longer of any use.
We are now in need of new paths, because all the places have been altered.
We do, however, retain an imprint of those times and that in itself is very great.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the context for this project?
In spring 2023, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) sought out community-based partners to lead projects in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) for a number of demographic groups. SHVILIM is one of the projects recently launched in partnership by OAC to grow EDIA resources in relation to specific community needs. SHVILIM supports enhancing the visibility of Jewish culture and the diversity of the Jewish experience in Ontario's arts landscape while concurrently better preparing the arts sector to address antisemitism. The OAC has several initiatives in development and one underway is the creation of an Anti-Black Racism Policy Framework led by the Black Screen Office.
Who is leading this initiative?
This initiative is a collaboration between the Jewish arts organization FENTSTER, No Silence on Race, a hub celebrating ethnically diverse Jewish experiences, and Shoreline Collaboratives, leaders in equity-driven organizational change. Our collaborative team is joined by an exceptional multi-racial group of project consultants and researchers that includes artists, educators, arts managers, Jewish spiritual leaders, and equity professionals. We are galvanized by the prospect of shaping a vision and roadmap for a more healed, anti-racist Ontario arts sector that leaves no one behind. We see ourselves as bridge builders, committed to eliminating all forms of oppression including that faced by artists.
Learn more about us here
Why is the initiative called SHVILIM?
SHVILIM (Hebrew for ‘paths’) represents our commitment to building real inclusion through various arts-based pathways. This initiative aims to support the arts sector by fostering communities where allyship and mutual support drive creativity and collaboration. In the evolving arts landscape and amidst ongoing efforts towards reconciliation and removing barriers for artists of colour, our response to antisemitism will be thoughtfully crafted to build connections across differences rather than deepen divisions. We view ending antisemitism as integral to dismantling all forms of oppression embedded in our society.
What does the project entail?
SHVILIM is a project to support enhancing the visibility of Jewish culture and the diversity of the Jewish experience in Ontario's arts landscape while concurrently addressing and reducing antisemitism within arts organizations and communities. There are two phases:
Phase One includes:
Ontario Arts Sector Review | To assess the current inclusion of the Jewish experience in Ontario's arts scene and identify gaps. It will also examine whether addressing antisemitism is integrated into arts organizations' existing EDIA frameworks.
Development of a Self-Assessment Tool | This resource will be widely available to arts organizations and communities across the province to identify conscious and unconscious antisemitic biases in their programming, policies, and practices.
Development of a Long-term Plan | The creation of a comprehensive framework to deliver resources, supports, and programming to and in partnership with Ontario’s arts entities.
Phase Two (not yet awarded) will include the implementation of the long-term plan together with multiple organizational and community partners. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more and partnering with SHVILIM.
Why is your participation in the Survey to Arts Organizations significant?
Ending antisemitism is integral to dismantling all oppressions. If your organization is committed to addressing racism, sexism and intolerance, your participation in this process furthers those goals.
Your participation in this survey will enable accurate data collection, which will contribute to the successful development of resources for the sector.
The OAC sees this project as one of its commissioned pilot programs for understanding and engaging in anti-oppression work in the sector. Your full and open participation also supports learning and the development of best practices to undertake similar initiatives in the future with other demographic groups.
Why is this initiative being carried out at this time?
Incidents and expressions of antisemitism have been increasing steadily over the past years with a dramatic spike in recent months. Initiated by the OAC in May 2023 with a call for expressions of interest, this initiative is not a reaction to current global events and the violence of these past months. However, neither will our approach be divorced from the present reality that is marked by heightened polarization and combativeness locally and abroad, which dramatically impacts Muslim, Palestinian and Jewish communities, in particular. SHVILIM responds to a broader climate of rising antisemitism, racism, white supremacy and intolerance from which the arts community is not immune. Our approach emphasizes communal repair and building meaningful connections and mutual support. Recognizing that discussions about antisemitism can be emotionally charged and polarizing, our team seeks to de-escalate the discourse in order to centre collaborative allyship.
Who is the project for?
This project is designed for the arts sector in Ontario, including supports for leadership of arts organizations as well as for Jewish people engaged in the arts community across the province. The data collected and resources created may also be taken up by others outside the province.
When will this project be completed?
The first phases of this project will be carried out in 2024. The implementation of the long term plan is scheduled for 2025 and beyond.
Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Contact the SHVILIM team at info@shvilim-arts.com