The Social Mobility Myth

The arts have been one of the vehicles by which the myth of social mobility has been promoted, yet the cultural ecosystem remains a mirror of society with roles largely dictated by socio-economic background. Can the arts become a beacon of change?
 
Chair: Syima Aslam is the founder and Director of the Bradford Literature Festival.
 
Panelists:
 
Dr Dave O’Brien is Chancellor’s Fellow in Cultural and Creative Industries based in The University of Edinburgh’s School of History of Art, and co-author of the book, Culture is bad for you: inequality in the cultural and creative industries.
 
Dr Mariam Rezaei is an award winning composer, turntablist and performer. She is Artistic Director of TOPH, a producing mixed arts space in Newcastle.
 
Abdul Shayek is Artistic Director and joint CEO of Tara Theatre.