Parenting in the Arts is a branch of The Artist and the Others, focused on supporting parent artists.
From our own experience, we know the cultural field is not (yet) the most welcoming for those who have children. Attempting to combine work in the arts, especially for artists, with the responsibilities and rhythms of parenthood frequently pushes parents to abandon the artistic and cultural field, choosing one over the other.
We want to change this.
Could their be an (art) world, where equal opportunities are provided to artist-parents, allowing them to keep developing their own careers in the arts?
This project was inspired by the work of Hettie Judah, more specifically her book ‘How not to exclude artist mother and other parents’
The need to create inclusive and accessible practices in the arts, promoting a diversity of voices and equal opportunities for Artist-Parents is overdue.
TOOLKIT
We have been putting together meaningful tools that parent artists can find useful. The collection includes supportive networks, inspiring podcasts, residencies that welcome artists and their families, insightful publications, and more. Please find the tools we have collected until now here: PARENTING IN THE ARTS: MEANINGFUL TOOLS FOR PARENT ARTISTS
ARTIST RESIDENCY FOR PARENT ARTISTS
We are happy to announce that we are currently developing a part-time, 3-month Artist Residency specifically tailored for Artist-Parents. Running twice a year, and combined with a parallel mentoring program and the opportunity to exhibit their work in Maastricht at the end of the residency, this project aims to provide a flexible, adaptable and inclusive model for artist residencies. We are working hard to launch the project as soon as possible, as we recognise the urgency to address this gap.
“Wouldn´t it be glorious if all of this were the stuff of the distant path? If artists didn´t feel pressured to choose between motherhood and a successful career? If the art world was no longer hung up on the carefree youth? If a woman in her late forties wasn´t seen as “ ´mumsy´ and unserious, exhibiting again after taking a break to raise children? If family was not considered a trap for women, because childcare was equally shared between partners? If mothers in the public eye were no longer judged for all they did and didn’t do? Alas, yet, this is far from the case.”
(From ‘How Not to Exclude Artist Mothers (and other parents)’ by Hettie Judah, 2022, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London)
Let’s create a positive change together.
