Festivals / Diverse Artists Network
Diverse Artists Network’s new ‘DIASPORA!’ festival to be piloted in May 2024
A brand new festival for Bristol and the regions in 2024 will seek to showcase BIPOC Global Ethnic Majority artists from the city’s different diasporas.
Set to be piloted across the early May bank holiday weekend, DIASPORA! is produced and developed by the Diverse Artists Network (DAN), an organisation that supports and amplifies both creatives and events in Bristol that celebrate diverse communities.
Although funders cannot yet be revealed, agreements are currently in place with over 15 major local arts organisations to put in place a broad festival programme underpinned by their own budgets, helping to ensure the relationships are sustainable and ongoing year on year.
is needed now More than ever
DAN’s goal is for 75 per cent of featured artists to be Bristol-based People of Colour, with the remainder coming from across the UK and internationally.
Presenting an eclectic range of theatre, dance, music, visual and digital arts, as well as poetry and spoken word, crafts, an opening and closing ceremony and a programme of ancillary events and talks, the vision for DIASPORA! is that one day it might become the ‘Edinburgh Fringe’ of diversity arts.
“I hope DIASPORA! elevates and unites the rich tapestry of cultures that reside and are woven into the regions,” says DAN co-founder, Vandna Mehta, “(bringing) pride, joy, learning and love for all cultures from the diaspora to feel they belong and are appreciated.”
Vandna Mehta – photo: courtesy of Diverse Artists Network
As well as making diverse audiences and artists feel represented, the team is dedicated to providing mentoring to help boost employment and develop careers in the arts, especially for female POC artists within Bristol.
The latest DAN social will offer artists and anyone interested a chance to network with other members and venues, as well as finding out more about the organisation’s work and its plans for the future.
DAN Social is at Strange Brew on November 28. Tickets are available at www.headfirstbristol.co.uk.
Diaspora! will take place across multiple Bristol venues on May 3-6 2024. Visit www.diverseartists.network or follow @diverseartistsnetwork for updates.
All photos: Diverse Artists Network
Read more: Afrika Eye announces dance, theatre, photography and music events alongside its film line-up
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
