Our Ethos
The ethos of the Graham Vick Foundation is deeply rooted in Graham's vision for Opera. His mission, his life's work, his ethic, integrity, creativity, his international standing, fellowships, professorships, awards and honors. It is in the democratisation of the operatic artform in which he found his voice. Not only in the opera houses and festivals around the globe, but in the creation of his company in Birmingham, 'The Birmingham Opera Company', which represented the true essence of what he believed in and who the operatic artform could serve. The people...all of them.
He saw opera as not mere entertainment, but something that could change lives, provoke thought, build community. He challenged audiences and used staging to question assumptions, social and political and with nuanced aesthetics.
In one of Graham's last interviews he said - "Be true to yourself, because the world has to be changed". He accepted controversy..... sometimes embraced it, as part of the search for truth or the pressing on boundaries.
Our
Vision
A world where the arts are transformative, accessible, and empowering, inspiring empathy and challenging social boundaries.
Our Purpose
To provide opportunities for voices to be heard without limits. To democratise the arts and use creativity to advocate for social change.
Graham Vick was the keynote speaker at the 2016 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards.
The transcript of his speech can be read here:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/may/10/graham-vick-opera-rps-awards-keynote-speech