الجزارا فارسی
روایت خاورمیانه 
The Chinese Contemporary Art Museum in Manchester, which closed in 2021 due to a series of controversies, is now continuing its work under a new name and mission. The museum had selected visual artist JJ Chan as one of its exhibition artists in March 2020. Chan's work, which focused on family video tapes, explored her complex emotional connection to Hong Kong and her parents' homeland.
Diversity and Transparency Challenges
However, when Chan sought guidance from the museum, she discovered that the institution had no Chinese staff and that 12 out of its 13 employees were white. This situation raised Chan's concerns, and she decided to withdraw from the project. In a public letter, she wrote: "My experiences and wounds have become a tool for entering an industry where there are many representatives."
Following this event, the museum attempted to recruit seven artists of Chinese descent to address this diversity issue, but this initiative was halted due to concerns about institutional racism. The group of artists then called for an international boycott of the institution, leading to the resignation of six board members and several staff.
A Fresh Start with a New Mission
After closing due to the coronavirus in 2020, the institution never reopened. However, now, after redefining itself, the Chinese Contemporary Art Museum in Manchester is seeking a way to make amends for its past and create a more inclusive and diverse space. Can this institution truly move beyond the shadows of its controversies and become a reputable cultural hub?
