It’s an exciting time to be in the company. By. Very impressive if true, of course. London has no shortage of great arts organisations and projects! I can see that a large part of your work is orientated towards making the art world more accessible. Tired of long waiting times in Starbucks? We think this is important to King’s’ mission as a University. 2001; Began regular articles for Culture Wars. Munira Mirza on her hometown of Oldham Trevor Phillips, the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), believes the term “institutional racism” is no longer relevant in Britain. Our starting point is: why is this worth ten minutes of someone’s time? I’d recommend for variety: Ralph Rugoff (Director, Hayward Gallery) explaining what is contemporary art, Alison Cole (Editor, The Art Newspaper) on Michelangelo’s. I studied English at university so was always interested in arts and culture, but I became a bit of a ‘museums junkie’ in my early twenties. She previously worked under Johnson as Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture when he was Mayor of London. This is a city that is famous for its culture; it’s got a very strong global dimension to it. Fast forward to 2017, one of the school examination boards announced it was going to axe the only A Level qualification in art history so I became involved in the public campaign to try to save it. Internet and especially social media have greatly influenced the art world. Munira Mirza is head of the Prime Minister's policy unit ... Meghan and Harry's desire to mingle with the great and the good in Hollywood may have been scuppered by their Oprah interview… Munira Mirza Mark Coles profiles the head of the No 10 policy unit, whose appointment on a new race inequality commission has caused controversy. Munira Mirza was born in Oldham in 1978 of Pakistani parents and educated at Breeze Hill comprehensive. Alex Clayton Amin - 5 March, 2019. In a funny way, it started whilst I was at Tate over ten years ago. The early stages of setting up the commission drew controversy after Mr Johnson gave Munira Mirza, head of the Number 10 policy unit, a major role in its creation. Heni Talks started a few months ago. She works for London’s Tory Mayor Boris Johnson, but has been a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party. Munira Mirza is smart, compassionate and deeply committed to social justice. I’m sure there’s a role to play but it requires people from different student societies and the union being open to being in a dialogue. Especially when we have cases where guests are being protested to the extent that they can’t give their speeches and people refuse to engage in healthy dialogue with each other or reject people from speaking at all with petitions. Munira Mirza is a racial gatekeeper. Film London Deputy Mayor Munira Mirza Interview. The range is fantastic! Twitter. MM: There’s a really strong sense of service here. It isn’t just a nice add-on. It’s important to maintain our international reputation in the future and ensure more Londoners especially can enjoy the arts on offer. How did it evolve from a first thought to the platform we can visit now? One of the sharpest minds inside No10. Why do you believe this is a necessity? Or have you ever been curious about the many references of Basquiat’s work? Before you founded Heni Talks, you were deputy mayor of London for culture and education. Conducted interview on behalf of Culture Wars. From Van Gogh’s olive trees to the revolution of the black square, your videos are not your average art history topics. If you have great speakers with great stories, you can really build engagement. In all these areas, London excels. Because at times there is a frustration with how non-committal university policy can seem around such issues. Munira Mirza, the head of the Downing Street policy unit who oversaw the appointment of the commission panel, is a long-time and outspoken critic of government attempts to tackle structural racism. I think it’s interesting that TED has generated a massive audience for science and technology related content, who would never ordinarily identify as science ‘boffins’. Obviously the Student Union is a significant player in that and student societies are very important. I think it’s fantastic that the institution really values culture within that and see it as integral to what it does. Munira Mirza has been described as both “a breath of fresh air” and as an “ideologically driven, monoculturalist zealot”. But if there’s … We have even started translations (first in Mandarin, with other languages to follow). How did you select them and what qualities must they have? You may obtain more information on cookies and their use. Hiring Munira Mirza Is Like Having Richard Dawkins Do Easter Mass Novara Media 21,385 views 5:43 A 10 year-old autistic and blind boy singing. 0. She’s a British Asian Muslim working as Mayoral Advisor on Arts and Culture, but criticises diversity arts policy for damaging true cultural equality. However, given that Munira Mirza was born in 1978 and Living Marxism folded in 1992, she must have been an extraordinarily young and precious “enthusiastic contributor” - penning articles between the ages of 10 and 14. What is the angle for your content? This January, Dr Munira Mirza became the new head of King’s Culture. Browse more videos. In 2018, for instance, she said Theresa May’s racial disparities audit “reinforces this idea that ethnic minorities are being systematically oppressed, that there’s a sort of institutional problem, when in fact what we’ve seen in the last 20 years is a liberalisation, an opening up for many people.” So difficult to choose! Whilst focus on subject discipline is really important, I think it makes for a better university education to be open to a lot of different influences. 20 March. 2 years ago | 357 views. Whether that’s you going out and setting up a major business and providing products that people want to buy or working in the charity sector and helping people or developing new ideas and research. How did you come up with the idea of Heni Talks? The idea that you’re serving society in some way is quite powerful. Munira Mirza is the Head of Heni Talks, a new, non‑profit project to promote art and art history online through short films. Munira Mirza, Terence Conran, Ed Vaizey, & Stephen Pycroft on far right side, burying a time capsule in the ground of the building site of the new Design Museum at the former Commonwealth Institute, Kensington High Street, scheduled to open in 2015/16. We use cookies to make it easier for you to browse our website. Red Carpet News TV. In 2018, Mirza defended Boris Johnson’s article that compared Muslim women who wear burqas to “letterboxes and bank robbers” – she argued that Johnson was “treating Muslims as equals.” She also referred to the burqa as a “symbol of gender inequality.” Eventually, I would also love the films to be used in classrooms and art history clubs in schools, by teachers and students who are not experts, but who use it as a prompt to explore their own feelings about art. In what way do you feel like the art world is inaccessible right now? It isn’t just a nice add-on. It’s much more like the American model actually: it’s a very strong civic ethos in a lot of American universities. I think we can certainly look at whether you can have an interesting debate on some of these figures and try and understand what their differences are. It’s about strengthening research and education, and it’s also a really important part of being in London. Learn English with Muniba Mazari in an inspirational and motivational speaker. MM: When I saw the job, it really just felt right for me. John Carey: the constant reader . And a … The involvement of Ms Mirza, the head of the No 10 policy unit, was condemned by shadow justice secretary David Lammy. Pinterest . Cars Land red carpet grand opening celebrities and interviews at Disney California Adventu. We feature artists who are household names but those less well known too. King’s is about this idea of a global university. Amber Rudd says the Government would make “better decisions” if more women were in senior positions, a thought endorsed on ConHome by Charlotte Gill. R: Do you think the principle of empathy and understanding different viewpoints is under threat by overregulation of speech, dress codes etc.? They are not always the same thing. The journey on the Internet is never-ending and can go in so many directions, which is exhilarating but also daunting to many. We want to connect King’s to that richness. Munira Mirza Mirza has made multiple controversial comments about race in the past. Munira Mirza, director of Number 10’s policy unit, also says that a university professor who claimed Black people have lower IQs than White people should not have been sacked, in a discussion in which she argues against any restrictions on hate speech. Sir David's companions at the interview were Arts Council England chair Liz Forgan and Boris's culture adviser Munira Mirza, who is also a member of the Arts Council's London committee. Fcvb Nmbv2015. We’re looking for ideas and arguments that spark an interest or help illuminate an aspect of art. If you, as a user, visit our website, it is our understanding that you are granting your consent to the use of cookies. Ms Mirza, neat and bird-like with striking looks and a winning smile, is behind the latest land grab, though she dislikes the description. From there, I started a PhD in Sociology, looking particularly at the politics of culture. But of course, there is more still to be done. Ms Mirza had previously questioned the existence of institutional racism and hit out … There are many people around King’s, staff and students, who are working with culture, either through their research practice or through their curriculum or as volunteers or for pleasure. Obviously, it takes time to develop this, but I do think the potential is there. Eternal dilemmas: interview with Mark Edmundson . Culture, Free Speech and Educating The Whole Person: An Interview With Dr Munira Mirza. Heni Talks was conceived as almost a fantasy team of tour guides who can do just that. In my mind, in an ideal university should be about. MM: Well, that’s one of the things I’d love to explore. But, as Jess Bowie discovers, Munira Mirza is a straight-talking deputy mayor who is equally comfortable in and out of the spotlight Whilst focus on subject discipline is really important, I think it makes for a better university education to be open to a lot of different influences. Where do you hope the platform will be in a few years? Film London Deputy Mayor Munira Mirza Interview. In my mind, in an ideal university should be about educating the whole person. No wonder the Left don't like her. The key – I believe – is trusted experts who can tell the story, provide a narrative, and help guide people through their own journey. Dr Munira Mirza: I love it, I’m really enjoying myself; it’s an amazing place. I know I started to enjoy visiting art galleries more when I had some understanding of the people and the ideas behind the artworks. Facebook. Something like Kazimir Malevich’s. Our audience ranges from school students who may be unfamiliar with academic terms or historical context, to more academic audiences who are interested in hearing experts on their chosen fields. Have you ever wondered who exactly the Mona Lisa was? You have a variety of speakers explaining several topics. Obviously it has to manage where there are protests, but they shouldn’t be able to shut an event down. Munira Mirza (born May 1978) is a British political advisor who is the Director of the Number 10 Policy Unit during the Premiership of Boris Johnson. That’s why free speech is enshrined in the university’s codes: there’s a legal onus on the university to protect that. I am on the board of the Royal Opera House and also the Illuminated River project (a charitable public art scheme to light the bridges of central London), so I feel very connected to the city and its cultural landscape. And whilst broadcast television remains vital, I think museums and galleries could start to think of themselves as broadcasters too. R: Was it the diversity of work you could do, or particular opportunities that attracted you to this job? We want it to be accessible and engaging to everyone. For those who still haven’t watched a Heni Talks video, could you recommend us your personal top three? Are you an idealist or a pragmatist? The Guardian reported that Mr Johnson’s adviser Munira Mirza – who has hit out at the “culture of grievance” among anti-racism campaigners – has been heavily involved in setting up the commission. I hope we will grow our audience and our range of speakers, and create a responsive community. My suspicion is that she was recruited directly to Spiked Online, or perhaps That is central to a university. My first job in the arts sector was at the Royal Society of Arts, where I became especially interested in the politics of culture – why we value what we do, how to make the arts more accessible, and why public interest in the arts matters. With as their main goal to make art history more accessible, the new online platform Heni Talks provides bite-sized lectures on relevant topics of art history. There are lots of different groups that represent different parts of the student community: I’m sure there isn’t a single student point of view. Munira Mirza’s previous comments describe a ‘grievance culture’ within the anti-racist field and she has previously argued that institutional racism is ‘a perception more than a reality’,” a spokesperson said. I conducted a piece of research for them examining the lack of diversity in their curatorial teams and realised early on that this was partly due to the lack of art history education in British schools. But I don’t claim our ability to fix all these challenges. MM: Well, I don’t know about overregulation at this university. There’s this idea that when you graduate from King’s you’re gonna go out into the world and fix the world’s problems. Follow. As long as it’s not breaking the law, I think the university has been quite clear about that. How about a Robot Barista? The university is not just an ivory tower: it’s confident, but it’s also very mindful. Being so involved in arts and culture in London, do you feel like there is a lack of art or art related projects in the city? I think it’s fantastic that the institution really values culture within that and see it as integral to what it does. This January, Dr Munira Mirza became the new head of King’s Culture. 2:33. I think the university has given a fairly hard line: events should be able to happen, protests should be allowed to happen but they shouldn’t be able to close down an event. MM: Well, I’ve only been here for three weeks so part of my job in the next weeks and months is start to understand what people are saying, what they feel about culture. And what about yourself, what are your plans for the future? Roar sat down with Dr Mirza to get to know her and understand plans for the College. MM: Essentially, we’re here to support the cultural community across King’s. We caught up with Munira Mirza, the founder and a driven woman that is set on democratising the art world. I think the public interest in the arts – especially in the United Kingdom – has grown considerably and the digital realm opens up exciting possibilities for engagement. Current culture and free speech at King’s. Boris Johnson’s racism reviewer whose mind is already made up She’s moved from far left to a Conservative No 10, writes Sean O'Grady. What are some up and downsides to this? How did you get involved with the arts and culture? Prior to working at the Mayor’s Office, I worked briefly at Tate and so actually I was really excited to return to the visual arts sector. It would be a shame for a student or an academic to be at King’s and not enjoy all that London has to offer. In a speech last year, he stated: “Our nation is changing dramatically. Report. I take Culture in its very broad sense, not just in the tradition of fine arts but, the creative and cultural industries: film, photography, design, architecture. Information can be found at the touch of a button, but knowledge can take years to acquire. Spare Parts @ The Science Gallery: Fascinating, Disturbing and Definitely Worth The Time, KCLSU Elections: A pool so diverse it’s almost exclusive. Because, to me, it’s one of the most artistically important cities in the world. 1578. 2002; First article in Spiked Wrote for Pro-Choice Forum. It is aimed at anyone who wants to learn about art and art history. The early stages of setting up the commission drew controversy after Mr Johnson gave Munira Mirza, head of the Number 10 policy unit, a major role in its creation. Author Archives: Munira Mirza The Arab Spring comes to London A new festival in London reveals the changing realities of life in the Middle East and challenges lazy assumptions about Arab art Previously, Dr Mirza has also served London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Education, and was one of the masterminds of the cultural events surrounding the 2012 London Olympics. There has been a big push to make ticket prices more accessible, increase education programmes and use online platforms. Munira Mirza, Director of … All our speakers are engaging and because they cover a diversity of topics, there is something for everyone on the site. WhatsApp. I think King’s has made quite a clear statement that it defends free speech. Playing next. The broader intellectual culture is one of discussion, ideas, and I guess these issues are live across universities all around the country, if not the world. Culture, Free Speech and Educating The Whole Person: An Interview With Dr... MM: When I saw the job, it really just felt right for me. 1:32 . Ahead of the report’s … I want to grow Heni Talks, of course, but I am also enjoying my wider role in the Heni business looking after our film and digital services for artists and estates. In his latest book, Self and Soul, ... Munira Mirza lauds universities’ role in improving all levels of education in the capital but decries ‘coercive consensus’ By Matthew Reisz. With as their main goal to make art history more accessible, the new online platform. _ Red Carpet Interview _ EE BAFTA … Just the breadth of work that’s going on here, the quality of the research… I love going from a meeting with someone like Robert Lechler talking about innovations in health and what he’s doing with the science gallery to Graham Earl in the Digital Humanities department talking about the work they’re doing with the cultural sector on 5G. Ms Mirza had previously questioned the existence of institutional racism and hit out at a “culture of grievance” among anti-racism campaigners. It’s also a very civically-minded university. Salma Hayek Likes All The Films This Year! As culture isn’t just something that happens within our team, our role is to strengthen people’s involvement in culture. London Calling: Munira Mirza interview Written by Jess Bowie on 17 July 2014 in Interview With Boris Johnson seemingly larger than life – let alone City Hall – the work of his busy team often goes unnoticed. 2003; Began writing regularly for Spiked . GKT forgets about Eid: How King’s can show us they truly value the students who put the ‘d’ in ‘diversity’, India’s Covid Crisis: Lives Devalued & Deaths Disregarded. I have a view of university as a place where ideas can flourish and there is exchange, but not necessarily always agreement. There’s a distinct shift in the way London plans to look at itself in the run-up to 2012, as Munira Mirza reveals to Catherine Rose. I also enjoy occasional writing and remain involved with many great organisations and initiatives in London’s cultural scene – when asked to do something, I always find it hard to say no! The Conservative Party's manifesto is to be drawn up by two female election gurus Munira Mirza and Rachel Wolf in an attempt to 'unite our country' says Prime Minister Boris Johnson. R: Do you think there’s any way the Culture team could bridge that gap? We started with people we knew or had worked with and then researched others we felt would bring expertise and passion to the films. R: How do you feel about the culture at King’s at the moment, particularly when there are significant ideological battles happening among the student body concerning freedom of speech, offence and minority representation? One of the sharpest minds inside No10. From there, you took the step from the broad topic of culture and education to focus on the art world specifically, what inspired this change? After discussing the issue with my Heni colleagues, we realised we had the capacity and skills to do something to help popularise the subject and bring it into the 21st century - hence Heni Talks was born. 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