VIDEO: Where we are and where we’re going at The Arts Partnership

This is the most honest video I have ever posted in my nearly 10 years at The Arts Partnership.

I hope you’ll listen; I hope you’ll join us.

This work – the work of racial inclusivity – is likely to be hard and it definitely won’t be quick, and the only thing I really know is that I will make mistakes…and likely many of them. But we can’t grow and change if we aren’t uncomfortable and if we aren’t putting ourselves into situations where we don’t know everything*. I’m ready, and also a little afraid, to get uncomfortable.

We created this signage after Danica in our office was at a diversity and the workforce training last year. Her big takeaway was that if you are serious about being inclusive, even if you don’t technically “need” it, put your most important documents into other languages so that everyone realizes that you are thinking about other cultures and other ways to engage people who don’t speak your language. We immediately created our #SupportLocalArt sign to also say it in the 10 most commonly spoken languages besides English in the Metro. We LOVE seeing the joy of recognition cross a new American’s face when they find their first language encouraging them to #SupportLocalArt, too!

And then, I am asking you to #SupportLocalArt where you can–the arts sector is hurting, and it’s not likely to rebound any time soon. Please do your part to support the arts organizations that have mattered to you and the artists whose work you have long admired.

Want to learn more about what we are thinking or start a conversation about how we’re going to make changes? Send me an email at dayna@theartspartnership.net. Believe me, there’s room at the table and plenty of work to be done.

Watch our recent TAPPY HOUR on Facebook Live for cello and conversation with Dr. Earnest Lamb.

*Correction from video: BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Color.