Barbican staff publish book detailing over 100 alleged racist incidents at London arts center

Current and former Barbican employees have released 'Barbican Stories,' an online publication documenting more than 100 alleged racist incidents at the London arts organization. The book compiles anonymous testimonies ranging from overt racist remarks by staff to systemic discriminatory practices, with some incidents dating back to 2014 and others occurring within the past year. One account describes a senior staff member calling an Asian colleague 'yellow' while claiming to reference their 'aura.' During the 2017 Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition, a front-of-house worker was reportedly called the N-word by a customer, with management allegedly failing to provide adequate support. Another testimony recounts a senior staff member referring to a position held by a person of color as a 'diversity position.' The publication criticizes the Barbican for not fulfilling anti-racist commitments made in 2020 following George Floyd's murder and the Black Lives Matter movement's heightened visibility. In response, the Barbican acknowledged 'the pain and hurt caused by these experiences' and stated it would continue its anti-racism action program. The organization has launched an independent review into all allegations, inviting all staff to participate.