Sydney Opera House was the stage for an explosive launch on Wednesday as Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) kicked off its hard-hitting Anti-Racism & The Arts campaign. The creative sector has long been criticised for its lack of racial diversity, but now, a powerful movement is demanding change. And it’s not just talk—this is a call to arms.
“This campaign is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action,” said Lena Nahlous, CEO of Diversity Arts Australia. “Through creative expression, education, and advocacy, we’re equipping artists, creatives, and organisations with the tools to tackle racism and build a more equitable industry.”
Nahlous is on a mission to reshape the way the arts sector functions. The campaign aims to dismantle the systemic racism that has plagued the creative industries for far too long, with five hard-hitting actions that everyone can take to make a difference: Educate Yourself, Challenge Systems, Call It Out, Check Yourself, and Reflect & Recharge.
“This campaign is about backing in our creatives and communities to lead change. Anti-racism in the arts isn’t optional—it’s essential for a fair and thriving creative sector that reflects the full breadth of who we are as a country,” said Diversity Arts Chair Cecilia Anthony. She couldn’t be more right. The arts should be a mirror of society, and right now, it’s too often reflecting the biases and exclusions that still run rampant in Australia.
The campaign is fronted by the bold slogan “How to be Anti-Racist in the Arts,” with a series of striking posters and postcards by artist Judy Kuo making a visual statement across the sector. These eye-catching designs are available for organisations to download and display—no one can ignore them. But that’s just the beginning. There’s an interactive Racial Literacy Quiz to help individuals reflect on their own understanding of racism and its pervasive impact on the industry.
But this isn’t just about individuals waking up. DARTS has trained a network of campaign presenters who’ve completed a masterclass in anti-racism in partnership with TAFE NSW. These experts are now ready to hit the road and deliver presentations directly to organisations across the sector.
“It’s not just about talking—it’s about taking action,” said Nahlous, highlighting the need for real, tangible change.
And for anyone seeking more tools to help tackle racism, the campaign has launched an online Anti-Racism in the Arts Resource Hub, packed with templates, materials, and more to support ongoing efforts to fight discrimination. The resource hub, alongside an active social media campaign, ensures that these crucial conversations are taking place everywhere—online, in boardrooms, and on stages.
But DARTS is pushing for even more accountability. Artists and creatives are encouraged to participate in the Tracking Racism in the Arts: Incident Survey, a new tool designed to collect real-world data on racism in the sector. The aim? To track the problem, so it can finally be tackled.
The NSW Government is backing the project with funding from the Strengthening Social Cohesion Community Grants program, while the Australian Government’s Creative Australia and Create NSW have also thrown their support behind the initiative. Arts and Cultural Exchange and the Sydney Opera House have also joined forces, making it clear that this is a movement that’s impossible to ignore.
For anyone ready to take a stand, the Racial Literacy Quiz is open for all, and the campaign’s posters and social media messages are available for sharing. This is the moment for the arts to step up and say enough is enough. The message is loud and clear: racism is a systemic problem, and the arts must lead the charge to change it.
Diversity Arts Australia has thrown down the gauntlet. The question now is: are the creatives of Australia ready to take action?
