Amy Tabback

As an artist and educator, I believe in dismantling the oppressions that result from the authoritarian pedagogies that remain in practice within the higher education institutions, professional institutions and greater societal structures that teach students. Racism, sexism, ableism, colorism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, sizeism, xenophobia, etc, are allowed to exist and will continue to exist as long as the authoritarian approach to arts training continues to format our curriculum and in class guidelines. I believe that oppression, supremacy, dehumanization and external assessment systems are not to be conflated with standards, virtuosity and rigorous discipline within your art. It is time to decenter the teacher/administration. Inclusivity may not be enough. While it invites others to be centered and visible, we must also learn to make room by stepping away from the center of the circle, and back into the space that allows everyone to see and be seen at one time.