Interview: Deasy Bamford, Tribe of Doris

Bristol’s long-standing music, dance and diversity collective Tribe of Doris present Diverse Artists Network on Thursday, May 4, a day aimed at facilitating empowering dialogue within the culturally diverse arts sector to improve diverse representation in mainstream arts provision, bringing together funders, venues, promoters and artists.

TOD’s co-founder Deasy Bamford tells us more about the event and its aims, and the Tribe of Doris story:

What are your hopes for the Diverse Artists Network?
Our aim is to develop a network that supports and enables representatives of all forms of diversity and art forms to find work and outlets for their talents in Bristol and, eventually, in the south-west as a whole.
At present there are many obstacles to being seen and getting work as diverse artists, and this network aims to help overcome those obstacles. Bristol, its schools and events are missing out on the talent and inspirations of these artists. We hope that at the end of this process we will have raised some funds to take this further and to develop first a network and, eventually, an agency that will represent the artists, establishing ways for venues, promoters, schools and festivals to share knowledge and contacts.

Scene from Tribe of Doris’ previous Diverse Artists Network (DAN)

“An action plan for improving diverse representation in mainstream arts”: any thoughts on how this can be achieved?
We have a passionate and committed group of artists that have been involved in this process, attending the events and the training, and there is a fledgling steering group and a small team of people who can take the planning forward. We aim to raise enough funds (via sponsorship, contributions, crowdfunding etcetera) to keep the network going till September and beyond – and then we will hold another meeting to bring all the potential beneficiaries together to improve diverse representation in the city. We need about £1,500 to make that happen and have about £500 so far.

How is diversity in mainstream arts currently? And have you known it to be better, or worse, than it is now?
It’s probably better than before as diversity is more difficult to ignore!
There is much better recognition that diversity is good for us all – business, individuals, school, management. But, with all the cuts and austerity agendas, arts often get treated as a luxury, not a vital part of our lives when, of course, without the arts our lives are more stressful and less rewarding!
Agencies are really noticing that booking organisations such as city councils are spending less – and that always affects diversity.

Members of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshop hosted by Tribe of Doris at Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio

Tell us Tribe of Doris’ ethos and objectives.
Our vision: “A world appreciating and celebrating its cultures through the joy of creativity and learning”.
Our mission: “Creating opportunities for cultural sharing and a sense of belonging, through diverse music, dance, song and ceremony from everywhere.”
Our values: inclusivity, high-quality arts, trust and respect, intergenerational encounters, joy, fun and play, community and family, nurturing future generations, supporting artists and developing a sustainable organisation.

Tribe of Doris has been going for over 25 years now. How have you changed in that time?
TOD has been adapting throughout its whole existence – probably because we never set out with a defined goal, except to drum and explore music from all corners of the world, teaching and learning from each other. We are as surprised as anyone that we are still going, taking it as an indicator that what we offer is still needed and valued. We have developed our summer school and have a loyal following that is also growing and very inclusive. Once you come to Doris, you want to keep coming back, as there is nothing quite like it. I called it a Live Womad the other day!

Performers at a ToD Summer school

What we have as an organisation is a combination of business, learning, volunteering and community development, laced with a deep immersion in arts from diverse areas of the world. We are committed to living and thriving in diverse communities – both those in our neighbourhood and the wider communities of interest that we are engaged in.

The youth area at the ToD Summer School

Over the past four years Tribe of Doris has undergone a major change, and the management of the organisation has developed to include four others who represent four continents, refugees and migrants and youthfulness. As the co-founder of TOD I am very proud of how we have become an integral, loved and respected part of Bristol’s diverse artistic scene and community.

For more information on the Diverse Artists Network day, visit www.tribeofdoris.co.uk/diverse-artist-network or contact Vandna on vandnart@gmail.com