One of NERAM’s key values is embracing inclusion and diversity. We strive to provide a safe and respectful environment for all staff, volunteers and visitors, where everyone is welcome and supported to engage in cultural activities. We also acknowledge and highlight the diversity within our community.
For International Museum Day 2020, a selection of spoken word artists were asked to respond to this year’s theme “Museums for Equality | Diversity and Inclusion” and we are delighted to share their beautiful and moving work with you today.
Gabrielle Journey Jones – Responding with “Freedom Rap”
Gabrielle Journey Jones is a poet, percussionist and event producer born on sovereign Gadigal Land, Sydney, Australia. She is from Maori and African American bloodlines and lives on the Far South Coast, NSW with her family. Gabrielle Journey Jones was a speaker and performer at the inaugural Winter Blooming Festival in 2019 and shares her work Freedom Rap. The Winter Blooming Festival is an annual celebration of LGBTIQ+, Indigenous and Multicultural people and creativity.
Emma Rose Smith – Responding with “Que(er)(ry)ing Memory“
Emma Rose Smith is a writer, editor, creative educator and arts organiser living on Gadigal-Wangal land. She is the director of Unspoken Words Storytelling. Emma co-produces Word in Hand (a monthly poetry gig in Sydney) and is the Poetry Object Producer at Red Room Poetry, where she facilitates creative learning for young people and professional development for teachers (Credit: Unspoken Words)
Mel Ree – Responding with “Release into Weightless”
Mel (Caramelsaucemel) trained as an actor, identifies as a dancer, poet and fierce woman. Born in Papua New Guinea to the daughter of a chief, her ancestors sit at the base of her spine spurring her on to tell her story, hoping to spark wildfires within listeners that burn down differences, uniting us in our pain and understanding of this human condition. (Credit: Australian Slam Poetry)
NERAM would like to thank Gabrielle , Emma and Mel for sharing their work as part of International Museum Day. Today more than ever we are thinking about all of the members of our diverse cultural community. Our doors are currently closed but our mission is still to connect you with art and culture that celebrates the unique perspectives of all kinds of different people. We are looking forward to the day when we can welcome everyone back to the museum. Until then be well, be kind and be creative.
