Wikipedia 'edit-a-thon' in Surrey hopes to bridge knowledge gap about women in the arts

A Wikipedia 'edit-a-thon' is being held at the Surrey Art Gallery on Saturday in the hope of improvingthe massive online encyclopedia's coverage of women in the arts.

The event, done in partnership with Vancouver-based Runghmagazine,will see volunteers gather at the art gallery and virtually to write and edit entries with a focus on art and feminism.

AlannaEdwards with the Surrey Art Gallery saysit's long been established that the vast majority of Wikipedia editors aremen, which can affect whatappears on one of the most-viewed websites on the planet.

"I think it's important to edit on Wikipedia because without women telling their own stories, without these stories being recorded, content can be skewed and become problematic," she said.

Wikipedia itself has acknowledged the gender gap.In a 2020 report, parent organization Wikimediafound 87 per cent of its contributors are male.

Edwards saysparticipants are encouraged to come with up with ideas for entries. Those seeking inspirationcan work on an entry for"pre-researched artists and artworks" from Surrey Art Gallery's permanent collection.

During a previous edit-a-thon, volunteers created an entry for local artist Roxanne Charles-George. Edwards said Charles-George was pleased with the result.

A similar event was held in Richmond Public Libraryin February to address gaps in knowledge about B.C.'s Black history.

Listen | A similar event in February addressed knowledge gaps about B.C.'s Black history

"Everybody knows they go to Wikipedia first when you're doing research," librarianAdair Harper told CBC's On the Coast last month. "So it's reallyimportant to improve coverage there."

Edwards says attendees at Saturday's event can learn how to research, create a user account, and publish a Wikipedia page.

"You don't need experience," she said. "We're all learning together. There's small ways that you can make big changes."

The edit-a-thon will take place at Surrey Art Gallery onMarch 12 from noon to 4 p.m. Those who aren't able to attend in personcan take partvirtually.