Over 200 people including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Arinzé Kene, Sheila Atim and Arthur Darvill have raised concerns about Wac Arts.
Staff, alumni and supporters of the North London performing arts school have signed an open letter after claims that fears they expressed previously have been ignored by the institution.
The Wac Arts Concerns Group have “no confidence in senior leadership or the board” after lack of response to their concerns about discrimination and poor management. The group identified problems with institutional racism, class prejudice and governance – after decisions made to cut programmes for disadvantaged young people.
Their letter to the board complains about the lack of action taken despite the amount of evidence and suggests that attitudes at the school “are deleterious to the community it serves.”
Wac Arts has a history of typically diversifying their programmes and widening access to theatre and the arts. The community are concerned about lack of representation and hope to “have a say in any future recruitments.”
Justina Cruickshank, the new chair of Wac Arts, has resolved to take action and tackle the issues “constructively.”
Words by Laura Mehers.
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