The Barbican centre has committed to “a radical transformation of culture and behaviours” after more than 120 allegations – a third of which related to racism – were investigated by lawyers as part of an external review into its operation.
The investigation by legal firm Lewis Silkin, published by the City of London Corporation on Tuesday, followed the publication of Barbican Stories earlier this year, which contained a litany of claims from staffalleging the use of racist language at the arts organisation and failure to investigate claims of racist behaviour.
The external review, which interviewed 35 people, identified “a lack of diversity in the organisation, an absence of confidence in HR systems and in the handling of complaints and in managers to deal with or take seriously concerns of racism”.
It said concerns were also raised about a lack of understanding of institutional racism, “with poor career development and preferential treatment being given to white members of staff, job applicants, and those who have had, or are perceived to have had, a private education”.
In addition, it found that there were concerns relating not just to heads of department and the senior leadership, but to the conduct of the Barbican centre board itself, which was accused of offensive comments “on the grounds of race”.
The board has now launched an action plan to tackle discrimination at the centre, which will be considered later this month. It commits the centre to “a radical transformation of culture and behaviours, including setting new workforce diversity recruitment targets on ethnicity, gender, and other protected characteristics”.
Compulsory anti-discrimination training will be rolled out to all staff, with senior leaders taking part first. There will also be a new “dignity at work” service, allowing staff to raise issues confidentially.
Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Barbican centre board, Tom Sleigh, said: “This investigation makes tough reading. All of us want the Barbican centre to be a truly diverse and inclusive organisation.
“Racism and discrimination have no place in the Barbican centre or anywhere else in our society. So, on behalf of the entire Barbican centre board, I apologise to any member of staff, both former and current, who has experienced this unacceptable behaviour.”
Sleigh said they would now take additional action “to build a culture in which staff feel confident, valued and respected, and where there is zero-tolerance of all forms of discrimination”.
He added: “Staff are the lifeblood of the Barbican centre and I hope that we can now move forward together to ensure the Barbican is an increasingly inclusive and welcoming place to work”.
The Barbican also launched an internal review. In a statement earlier this month, it pledged to introduce diversity targets for its workforce.
