Fruitmarket is committed to creating equal opportunities for people to work in, engage with, participate in and experience the arts and creativity. We recognise that equalities, diversity and inclusion are separate yet interrelated. Equality is about treating people differently, not treating everyone the same, so that everyone has the opportunity to participate. Diversity celebrates difference in the many and varied characteristics of people. Inclusion necessitates an openness to a wide variety of people, challenging conscious and unconscious bias and actively seeking to widen the demographic of our audiences. We recognise the complexity of living with a disability, of the interaction between the body and the barriers created by the disabling or exclusionary social and built environment (informed by Tobin Siebers’ theory of complex embodiment). We seek to remove as many as possible of the physical and socio-economic barriers that might prevent people from accessing our services or working for us or with us, while recognising that some access measures can unintentionally create barriers for others. By removing barriers, we are diversifying our staff, artist and visitor profile and increasing audiences to the Fruitmarket and online. Fruitmarket’s Creative Access and Inclusion Strategy and EDI Policy are written in the context of our legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, that consolidates legislation for a range of groups with Protected Characteristics, and Fruitmarket’s aspiration to be open, inclusive and accessible to all. Protected Characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 are: Age Disability Gender reassignment Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Race Religion or belief Sex Sexual orientation Alongside these, we also recognise other areas of potential discrimination that are not listed in the 2010 Equality Act, such as neurodiversity, paternity, menopause, socio-economic background, parenting and caring responsibilities. This Policy applies to all employees, artists, contractors, job applicants, visitors and other customers. It operates in conjunction with the Fruitmarket’s Strategic Plan, and its principles apply to all other policies, requiring staff to incorporate EDI considerations into strategic planning. You can read our full Creative Access and Inclusion Strategy here: https://www.fruitmarket.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CreativeAccessandInclusionStrategy_2026-7_200526.pdf
A free, public space for culture in the heart of Edinburgh, the Fruitmarket provides inspiration and opportunity for artists and audiences. We programme, develop and present world-class exhibitions, commissions, publications, performances, events and engagement activities, opening up the artistic process. Creativity makes space for meaning, and we create a welcoming space for people to think with contemporary art and culture in ways that are helpful to them – for free.