BAFA is an unprecedented network of Black professionals working in the creative and cultural industries. We aim to increase opportunities, progress emerging talent and amplify your voice. This network is by Black creatives, for Black creatives; it is about connecting you to your peers, to funding sources and to new contacts in relevant sectors. BAFA is about celebrating, supporting and enabling Black arts professionals.
Our community is made up of writers, artists, academics, filmmakers, musicians, scientists, lawyers, entrepreneurs, theatre-makers, students and professionals and we are tired of glass ceilings and closed doors. We are of all ages, ancestries, genders, disabilities and identities. We are working together to bring about change: better representation, more diversity, less exclusion and wider recognition of the contribution to the creative and cultural industries by Black people from the African and Caribbean diaspora.
Recently, our community has rallied against a ‘hostile environment’ and the ensuing Windrush scandal, global police violence and from Covid-19, UK deaths at four times the rate of our white colleagues. All this, fuelled by a systemic racism that continues to play out in our lives as Black professionals through oppressive policy and closed-shop institutions. Yet, the unparalleled energy of Black creativity continues to thrive: from the artistry of our ancient dynasties to Negritude and Créocité, from Afro-Surrealism to Afro-Futurism, from Blues to Jazz, and from Dubstep to Grime. Join us to help write the next chapter of our story.
Our aims
To provide a platform for Black artists and creators to widen our networks, find new projects, and get more funding.
To bring solidarity to the Black community across the creative and cultural sectors, resulting in a united voice that has collective power with commissioning bodies, public programmes and cultural policy makers.
To utilise our collective power to realise our ambitions now, for ourselves, and in the future for those generations that are yet to come.
Support us
Be a part of BAFA UK, the first Black Association for the Arts. Sign up TODAY.