I’m A Professional Too Session 1: (Re)Define Workspaces in the Indian Arts
Session Summary
On February 27th, 2021, CAREspaces and SNS Arts Development Consultancy co-curated and co-hosted the first of their five-part event series, “I’m A Professional Too Session 1: (Re)Define Workspaces in the Indian Arts” — a guided panel discussion to better understand not only what workspaces are generally defined as, but also redefining and challenging the ways in which we categorize workspaces, and how “conduct” within a workspace is responsible for delivering an experience to members who occupy and interact in those spaces. CAREspaces is a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit that aims to provide tangible measures for more conscientious and ethical workspaces in the Indian arts communities through resources for healing, learning, and accountability. SNS Arts Development Consultancy is a company that provides strategic guidance and arts management among many other resources for artistes. Together, CAREspace and SNS aim to start discussions on ethical professional practices within the Indian arts through their campaign and five-part series, #imaprofessionaltoo.
“The characteristics we associate with a “professional workspace” is beyond the functional and tangible attributes of the space and is largely impacted by the extent of ethical conduct practiced and upheld within that space. The reason a space may make us “feel” a certain way is because of the way we interact with others and the way we are treated in that environment.”
DEFINE.
- Workspaces vs Workplace: Both words refer to a space of operation, in which the operation can be not only creative work but also administrative and supporting tasks. A workPLACE is a physical location where someone may perform their work: an office space, a school, a factory. A workSPACE can be broader than this and may not necessarily refer to a specific building, but rather could be a stage or even a person’s desk. The Indian arts is home to a broad range of practitioners and stakeholders, therefore it is important to bring awareness to 1) the categories of workspaces as we naturally define them: Informal, formal, and extended. 2) more fluid examples of workspaces and how we can characterize them differently based on professional conduct. The reason we call this (re)defining workspaces is that Indian arts are such a diverse space — there are so many different places we collaborate in, so we want to break down what it means to be in a workspace and why there may be many more fluid examples of workspaces than may initially meet the eye
- Professionalism vs. Professional Conduct: “Professional conduct” here refers to behavior or conduct that enables professional standards and healthy dynamics. Professional conduct highlights a specific part of professionalism, otherwise a very broad term. Note: professional conduct is not reserved to those who are full-time, formal stakeholders in this space (ie. an artist who has taken the arts as their profession).
Work & Space.
An initial definition of their components
WHAT we do is WORK. The work we do in the Indian Arts is not always limited to creative aspects. Work also encompasses administrative duties, and supporting tasks.
WORK can be defined in many ways: 1) What art form do you practice or engage with? 2) Education/training 3) Who are you/what is your role (teacher, organizer, artiste/co-artiste, student, supporting member, other) 4) Time Involvement (full- or part-time, serious or casual hobby) 5) Payment (primary or secondary source of income, volunteer) 6 & 7) Experience & quality.
WHERE we do work is a SPACE (more specifically a workspace):
SPACE can be defined in many ways: 1) How defined? (defined, undefined, ambiguous) 2) How formal? (Informal, Semi-formal, Formal, Extended, Social) 3) Functionality (What this space is being used for) 4) Interactions (who you share the space with, how do you interact, familiarity).
How do we naturally categorize workspaces?
Informal, formal, and extended spaces. Often we define our spaces by their physical attributes or functionality/purpose as it relates to our work. These categories are an important starting point to bring the first level of awareness of the diverse workspaces we occupy in the Indian arts. The speakers shared what instantly came to mind given these categories:
- Formal spaces: Auditorium, photo/video/audio studios, art galleries, educational institutions, practicing studios, and rehearsal spaces.
- Informal spaces: Teacher’s home, practice spaces that overlap with living spaces
- Extended spaces: Canteen where you are meeting other performers, site options for video shoots, travel spaces, online platforms (YouTube, Instagram, etc), personal workspaces (desk space, or personal practice spaces in a home.
(RE)DEFINE.
Are these categories finite or black and white?
Workspaces can be redefined based on the types of conduct that are practiced within them. Our experiences within spaces can greatly affect the way we categorize our workspaces and can account for the grey areas and fluidity between these categories.
What dictates the experiences we have within these spaces?
HOW we do work within a space is CONDUCT— the thread that connects the work to our spaces as defined by experiences and interactions. Conduct can be defined as how we carry ourselves and treat one another.
Types of Conduct: 1) Personal (as it pertains to an interaction/familiarity) 2) Professional 3) Unprofessional 4 ) Misconduct (not the same as unprofessional — sexual, nonsexual)
How did our speakers (re)define ethical Professional conduct?
Professional conduct may come from professional practices but those practices are not innately professional and must reflect certain ethical characteristics. Here are key takeaways from this discussion, combining all speakers’ thoughts on what these characteristics should be:
Freedom & Voice.
Speak for you, be unique.
Freedom to speak, voice opinions even if in disagreement with authority or status quo, to be yourself, and have your own thought processes. Freedom to be unique.
Accountability & Inclusivity.
See something, say something.
Inequalities that exist in society will also exist in an art space and practice. We should account for the physical and emotional safety of minority bodies in these spaces. Seemingly professional practices such as policies and agreements should ensure that the power is not concentrated in the hands of one person. The vulnerability of a stakeholder is not absolute — in one situation an artist who is vulnerable could find herself in a position of power in many other situations. So If agreements are only self-serving, they are counterproductive.
Vulnerability & Safety.
Everyone is entitled to feel comfortable.
Vulnerability is a huge part of the creative process. The conduct within interactions is key to providing a feeling of safety during those vulnerable moments. There is great intimacy and value in many informal spaces (such as learning in a teacher’s home), therefore, it becomes even more important that these fluid spaces are safe. We constantly have to check ourselves and our behavior and allow for spaces for vulnerability and comfort to occur. Having a mentor, parent, or informed third-person watch your practice, and show willingness for constructive criticism to evolve and improve (even as a teacher/authority).
Trust & Respect.
Treat others the way you want to be treated
Both should be earned not automatically given due to status, authority, or risk of harm. How often do we think about trust and respect before it is given or received? Trust is not a non-negotiable, but respect is. A culture of zero tolerance towards acts of disrespect based on any identity differential should be not only outlined but explicitly stated and upheld through ethical professional conduct.
Communication & Word Choice.
The right time & place for certain dialogue.
Identities keep changing and are relational — — e.g. we don’t just say that we’re a mother in isolation. The extent of familiarity you have with the person you are working with should not dictate the language you use with them in professional settings. In the Indian arts, it is very common to work with family members — a double-edged sword. Although the intimacy, candid conversations, and access to each other’s creative processes are pluses, the difficulties are making sure that the distinction between personal and professional conversations is compartmentalized. This affects time commitment, seriousness in the space, finding the right space, finding the right time to carry out work.
If someone claims to be a professional but does not act with ethical professional conduct, what can be done?
The lack of ethical professional conduct should not be tolerated since it could result in discomfort. Discomfort in any form is misconduct. We should have the negotiation points to challenge someone when they say “I’m A professional too” and know that you should be held to the same standards.
“Do not trust someone’s word for it. A professional practice does not always mean professional intent (ie, a contract could be unfavorable if it is not coupled with ethical conduct) A certain type of space (whether seemingly formal or informal) could be unethical in nature due to the conduct exercised within it. “
— Rashmi Singh, Lawyer at PCVC
JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT EVENT!
All the aspects of ethical professional conduct as mentioned in Session 1 must definitely be applied to the nature of our work as well! Creative and original work is the cause that holds our global Indian arts community together.
How can we act professionally while creating work and practicing creativity?
“Protect your Creative IP” is the next session of “I’m A Professional Too,” which will take place on Sunday, March 28, 2021, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm EST/8:30–10:30 pm IST. This session will be an interactive session in a workshop format, lead by two lawyers from India and the US, on the best practices for intellectual property protection in the Indian Arts.
CLICK HERE to reserve your spot!
Please note: limited workshop seating available!
