Cultural Equity Speed Dating is an activity that emerged out of Michelada Think Tank’s efforts to create meaningful relationships amongst the people in our networks attending our events. In Cultural Equity Speed Dating participants search not for a romantic partner, but an artistic collaborator. While traditional speed dating aims to spark love by helping people find things in common such as favorite movies or similar music tastes, CESD seeks instead to facilitate blunt conversations about cultural equity to see where politics align. This activity began as an icebreaker at think tank events as a way to warm people up to talking about the difficult topics in the think tank.
Borrowing both the tone and format of speed dating, CESD brings people face-to-face for fun, if at times awkward, conversations that help people learn more about who they are sharing space with in the room. Participants sit directly across from another person. The host, taking on the personality of a gameshow host, will guide the participants through questions like “Are you an ethnic minority in the neighborhood where you live?” and “Should the Whitney Museum have removed Dana Schutz’ painting of Emmett Till?” In just 60 seconds, both people will share their thoughts and experiences with race, culture, and working towards equity. Once the bell rings, it is on to the next person and the next question.
Michelada Think Tank has facilitated Cultural Equity Speed Dating at:
- San Diego Art Institute
- 500X Gallery
- New Art Center
- Common Field
- Chicago Cultural Center
- CUE Foundation
- Dahlia Heights Elementary School
