Navigating Creativity: Steps to Avoid Cultural Appropriation in Creative Teams

We can create a world where cultural exchange is built on a foundation of respect, understanding, and appreciation.

As the world continues to grow more interconnected, creative teams often seek inspiration from diverse cultures to develop new and fresh innovative projects. But in this search for originality, there is a thin line between appreciating other cultures and taking things from them. Cultural appropriation happens when people from a dominant culture use parts of a marginalised culture without understanding, respect, or permission. Often, these parts are used out of context. This can cause harm and perpetuate stereotypes, undermining efforts to promote inclusivity and equality. To avoid cultural appropriation, creative teams should consider below.

Educate yourself and your team.

The first step is to educate yourself and your team about the cultures you’re drawing inspiration from. Understand the historical and cultural contexts of the symbols, practices, or items you wish to incorporate into your projects. Encourage your team to participate in cultural sensitivity workshops or engage with cultural experts to deepen your understanding of the cultures you’re seeking creative inspiration from.

Seek collaboration and input.

Involve members of the community or culture you are drawing inspiration from in the creative process. Collaborate with them as consultants, creators, or advisors to ensure authenticity and respect for their culture. This will not only prevent cultural appropriation but also lead to richer, more informed creative projects.

Acknowledge and credit sources.

Properly credit the sources of your inspiration, acknowledging the people or communities from which they originate. This demonstrates respect and appreciation for the cultural elements you are incorporating and ensures that they are not taken out of context or misrepresented.

Reflect on the purpose and impact before incorporating elements from another culture into your project, ask yourself why you are doing so and what impact it will have.

Consider whether the use of these elements is essential to your project, or if there are alternative ways to achieve the same effect without borrowing from another culture. Be aware of potential consequences and make decisions that prioritise respect and understanding.

Always remain open to feedback.

Once your project is finished, remain open to feedback from the communities or cultures you have engaged with. Recognise that there may be mistakes, oversights, or misunderstandings, and be prepared to address them. Use feedback as an opportunity to grow and learn, refining your creative process to prevent future instances of cultural appropriation.

Promote cultural exchange and dialogue.

Encourage cultural exchange and dialogue by showcasing projects that appreciate and celebrate the richness of diverse cultures. Share your platform with creators from different cultural backgrounds, helping to amplify their voices and foster understanding.

Photographer: Kimberly Farmer | Source: Unsplash

It’s important to create a safe and respectful space for these cultural exchanges to take place, where everyone can feel comfortable sharing their experiences and perspectives. By doing so, we can break down barriers and promote a more inclusive society.