Arike Oke

Background

About Arike Oke

I lead the screen heritage collections at the British Film Institute in the role of Executive Director of Knowledge, Learning, and Collections. My practice is rooted in social justice and the role of culture in giving strength to, and inspiring, individuals and communities. Formerly I was the Managing Director for Black Cultural Archives, the home of Black British history. I've worked in heritage for over 15 years, from the seminal Connecting Histories project in Birmingham, to developing Wellcome Collection’s archive, and co-convening Hull’s first official Black History Month. My interest in supporting the sector includes assessing funding applications for Wellcome, the Royal Society and the National Archives, assessing impact for REF and judging the 2022 Write on Art Prize. My fiction is published in magazines and anthologies. My critical art writing has been featured in The Girls Are and This is Tomorrow. My factual writing has appeared in journals. I've written an anti-racism book for children which is to be published in 2022. Formerly Co-Chair of the Association of Performing Arts Collections, I advise the National Archives, BAFTA, and was a member of the Home Office's Windrush Working Group. I'm a Group Board member at Notting Hill Genesis, and a fellow of the Arts Council’s Museums and Resilient Leadership programme.