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Description
The Lockout Stereotypes project developed by the Art Media Events Studio Association, together with its partners FIKSDAL DANS Foundation (Oslo) and the 4 Culture Association (Bucharest), in collaboration with the Prahova County Art Museum "Ion Ionescu-Quintus", "Radu Stanian" Gymnasium School No. 19, St. Andrew the Apostle High School in Ploiesti, addresses issues of a discriminatory nature for the target group - 35 girls/women who are double discriminated (on ethnic and gender grounds). Aged 12-25 years, they will be involved in specially designed cultural activities that lead to the enhancement and knowledge of Roma culture. The project will focus on the interdisciplinary approach (visual arts exhibition, guided tours, debates, productions and performing arts workshops) from a sociological, historical point of view, in order to better understand the phenomenon of social discrimination of Roma girls/women. The project will present examples of Roma women who modernize, give up traditional dress, emancipate themselves, practicing noble trades, continuing to cultivate their roots. These attitudes of Roma girls/women will be discussed and debated in the exhibition, workshops, productions and in the good practice toolkit. The project includes innovative curatorial and production practices and bilateral cooperation, proposes activities of cultural education, research and artistic production with the role of empowerment/increase of public awareness, self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as new cultural products, picture book publishing, Romani literature, objects of creative design, with a positive impact precisely through their non-conformist manner of expression and debate. Thus, the project will promote, through dedicated campaigns, the diversity and traditions of Roma culture, both among the community and to a wide audience of Roma and non-Roma, from Romania and Norway.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to tackle the pressing need for the social and cultural inclusion of Roma people by addressing several key challenges. These included difficulties in accessing employment opportunities, discrimination faced by Roma children from marginalized communities, widespread negative perceptions of Roma individuals, frequent incidents of hate speech directed at them, and a significant level of distrust from the majority population toward the Roma community.
The project implemented activities aimed at challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusion, such as LOCKOUT: Changing the Categorizations and Professions and Stereotypes: Education and Culture for Roma Girls and Women. These initiatives focused on addressing societal biases and empowering Roma individuals, particularly girls and women, through education and cultural engagement. As an outcome, the project supported seven Roma contemporary art activities, further fostering creativity and cultural expression within the community.
The project had a meaningful impact on Roma girls and women from the border neighborhoods of Ploiești, who participated in the HORDE workshop and show, as well as in theatrical and musical workshops and performances. It created more than three new jobs, empowered 35 Roma women, and engaged a total of 1,295 people in cultural activities. These outcomes contributed to promoting inclusion, enhancing cultural engagement, and fostering empowerment within the Roma community.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership with Haugen Production contributed significantly to the development of good practices in inclusive education and the diversification of educational activities within schools. This collaboration served as a valuable example and has the potential to act as a model for other schools in Romania, promoting more inclusive and innovative educational approaches.