For an ambitious idea, a small team of people worked tirelessly over a period of less than 6 months, connecting with venues and artists to deliver an extensive celebration of cultural diversity through art in all its various forms, for everyone to enjoy.
Then, over the Early May Bank Holiday, we piloted DIASPORA! A first-of-its-kind festival for Bristol and the South West, which aimed to showcase and better reflect the variety of talent within the region’s cultural communities.
The festival platformed over 200 artists from underrepresented cultural backgrounds. Meaning people from, largely, the diasporas of countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Central and South America. Working in collaboration with a host of 30+ venues, community initiatives, and iconic institutions, DIASPORA! featured over 70 events consisting of singers, bands, poetry, dance, storytelling, drumming, film, tours, visual art displays, and much more.
It was a glorious weekend with something for everyone – to embrace different cultures, discover new sounds, stories and movements, and to make new friends!
IT TAKES A VILLAGE…
DIASPORA! was a highly collaborative endeavour.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the artists, venues, organisations, poetry competition and flag making participants who joined us on this journey. Together, we have better reflected the South West’s cultural diversity.
Thank you to everyone who attended! Your presence was deeply appreciated by all artists and venues.
If you missed it or would like a reminder, take a look at several uplifting performances and exhibitions captured in the photos and videos.
Immense gratitude to our volunteers. Your involvement was essential for the delivery of DIASPORA! and enhancing visitors’ experience of the festival.
And we are grateful to our funders, whose backing was vital in enabling us to support artists in presenting their work and cover core costs. Thank you to:
- West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
- Arts Council England
- Quartet Community Foundation
- Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District
TAKING STOCK
Over the past few weeks we have been gathering reviews, appraising our work and consolidating insights. We value the feedback we have received via forms, emails and workshops. It will all inform our plans to make the next DIASPORA! festival an even greater success.
MOVING FORWARD
DAN will continue to evolve as an organisation—fostering cultural exchanges, supporting artists, enhancing representation, and sharing opportunities to create a more connected region.
We will soon share more details about our services, including membership, mentoring, agency representation, and more networking opportunities.
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You can also email us with any enquiry at hello@diverseartistsnetwork.com
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