Dear Members of Our Community,
In recent days, CICA Vancouver has faced allegations of discrimination against an artist on the basis of their religious and cultural affiliation. We want to address these concerns directly and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our mission and core values.
At the heart of CICA Vancouver is a dedication to cultivate artistic dialogue and community engagement while emphasizing inclusivity and representation. As a woman and BIPOC-led organization, prioritizing diversity is not just a goal but a guiding principle that informs every aspect of our work. Since our inception, we have been dedicated to showcase a pluralistic range of contemporary art and ideas through our multidisciplinary exhibitions and programming. We are grateful to have collaborated with a distinguished group of over 35 local and international artists, with more than two-thirds from visible minority backgrounds. These cross-cultural collaborations are a testament to our commitment to platforming diversity while fostering a safe and accessible environment for all.
Facing budgetary constraints is an unfortunate reality for many non-profit arts organizations, and regrettably, there are times when we must make difficult decisions due to limited resources. In this instance, we rescinded the decision to showcase three artists whose works we could no longer accommodate due to budgetary constraints, a tight time frame, and curatorial direction. It is essential to clarify that an artist’s cultural and religious affiliations would never serve as justifiable grounds for exclusion at CICA Vancouver.
We want to assure our community that our decision-making process for curating exhibitions is based solely on artistic merit and thematic relevance, guided by our organization’s mission and values. Discrimination of any kind has no place within our organization, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to platforming diversity and ensuring equitable representation in everything we do.
Looking ahead, we will continue to embed the values of equity, inclusion, and diversity into every facet of our operations. Your ongoing support and understanding are invaluable as we navigate these complexities together.
Sincerely,
CICA Vancouver