Core Values
Community Power
We believe that effective solutions are developed through shared power in decision making, and we are committed to providing all people in our organization the opportunity to contribute their ideas and skills so that everyone has a say in the decisions that affect them.
Community Accountability
We know that, at times, we may fall short of our ideals and are committed to creating and upholding an environment of accountability for our (in)actions and their impact. We will accept accountability for harm, address conflicts transparently, regularly discuss how we can improve, and participate in reconciliation processes.
Collective Liberation
We understand that systems of oppression are interconnected and purposefully limit access to knowledge and resources. We commit to working collaboratively with other movements for change in order to achieve a world where each person is acknowledged as worthy of dignity and respect.
Self- and Community Care
We believe that creativity, boundaries, and consent are important parts of self- and community-care and that there are often barriers to accessing opportunities for care. We are committed to offering space (physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.) in which all people can safely explore art, healing, and community.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
We acknowledge the lack of fairness and justice in our society and are committed to including and prioritizing diverse and historically-excluded voices (including but not limited to Black, Brown, and Indigenous voices, LGBTQIA+ voices, Disabled voices, and economically marginalized voices) into our planning, leadership, and evaluation. We will develop policies and practices that create an environment where people of diverse backgrounds feel comfortable being their authentic selves and sharing their unique ideas and perspectives.
Accessibility
We acknowledge that everyone has unique lived experiences of discrimination and oppression and individuals will need access to a diverse array of resources to be successful. We are committed to meeting people where they are, as well as maintaining and updating our Accessibility Plan which outlines the ways we will provide equal access to resources, tools, information, and experiences so that all people can participate in our community with minimal barriers to engagement.
Self-Determination
We understand that each person has their own goals and idea of fulfillment, while often lacking the resources to achieve those goals. We are committed to promoting self-determination, fulfillment, and personal growth through art and entrepreneurship access.
Statement of Anti-Racism
We acknowledge the systemic inequity and oppression that Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists experience in society and the art world. Our Board and leadership commit to remaining aware and continuing education regarding the impact of white supremacy and that systemic inequities in our society on those that our organization serves. We are committed to ongoing education to unlearn ingrained biases that can lead to flawed strategies. We affirm our commitment to recognizing, addressing, and eradicating all forms of racism and systematic oppression within our organization. We commit to ensuring that everyone has support and access to the resources needed to be successful within our program, while identifying and eliminating barriers that have prevented the full participation of communities most impacted by systemic oppression.
Statement of Art Advocacy & Access
We believe the Arts sector can impact and change culture in meaningful ways. We believe that artists can shape the way people think by imagining new ways of living and existing within the world, expressing those thoughts in society through their art, and connecting our community through new ideas. Since artists can imagine a more just world, the people affected by the issues of injustice must be able to participate to envision a better world for everyone. We believe as artists, art educators, art patrons, and art lovers with financial and/or social capital, we have a responsibility to center voices at the margins, on our platform, in our work, and most importantly in the stories we tell.