Tag: diversity

Alliance for Artist Communities Diversity and Leadership Fellow Deadline is Monday!

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 The Alliance Diversity + Leadership Fellows program is a year-long experience that launches with participation in the annual 2017 AAC Conference in Denver, CO. Recognizing a marked lack of diversity in the residency field, the fellowship aims to celebrate and advance the careers of emerging practitioners of color and practitioners with disabilities in the residency field regardless of their current role. Six fellowships will be awarded and include travel + registration for the 2017 conference, a visit to a leading artist residency center (Spring 2018 dates to be determined) and travel + registration to attend the 2018 Emerging Program Institute (October 13-15, 2018).

The fellowship supports residency leaders interested in:

  • Developing leadership skills to take their career to the next level
  • Joining an international network of residency leaders
  • Working closely with a field mentor
  • Attending the 2017 AAC Conference in Denver, CO (October 2-5, 2017)
  • Visiting a leading artist residency center (Spring 2018)
  • Attending the 2018 AAC Emerging Program Institute in Philadelphia, PA (October 13-15, 2018)

Eligibility Requirements: Artist residency practitioners of color or practitioners who have a disability from the United States who have worked within the residency field, or associated roles, for 2- 5 years are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be able to attend all fellowship activities. Program costs are covered with travel and accommodation stipends.

Application Deadline: The deadline is July 31st. Fellows will be announced in early August.

Apply at: artistcommunities.org/diversity-leadership-fellows-application

Some observations on diversity and equity as RISCA planning process begins

artsrhodeisland

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I’m fortunate to serve as a member of the Rhode Island College Inclusive Excellence Committee.  Under the leadership of RIC’s President, Dr. Frank Sanchez, and its wonderful Associate Vice President for Community, Equity and Diversity, Anna Cano Morales, RIC has taken a leadership role in promoting greater diversity, equity, inclusion and accountability.

Since these are issues of concern to us here at the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, I’m using my membership on this committee as a learning experience that will inform the work we do on our own strategic plan.

The committee met yesterday on the RIC campus for our first working meeting. After an introduction by President Sanchez we were led through a facilitated discussion by Dr. David E. Jones, a respected scholar-practitioner and director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.  Here are some of my take-aways from his presentation, and from the discussion that followed.

  • For the work to begin, be sure to establish a shared language, and then strive to “anchor” equity and diversity into the work of RISCA (how do we “bake it into” our work as an agency)
  • “Make folks feel comfortable with the uncomfortable” (thanks, Ray Watson, for that quote)
  • Reflection is very important to this process, and how we invite people in is critical
  • How can we ensure that this work is visible – internally and particularly externally?
  • For equity and diversity to thrive, ensure that there is an alignment of organizational culture with mission, vision and values
  • “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”
  • We need the voices of privilege to speak up and speak out. A good example is the video “Cracking the Code: A Trip to the Grocery Store”, which shows that those representing the so-called privileged culture must speak out on behalf of equity and diversity for change to happen.
  • Name the inequities in policies and programs
  • Have a score card to hold you accountable
  • Best practices
    • prepare an inclusion annual report
    • have an online presence to showcase inclusion efforts – particularly on social media
    • identify an “inclusion representative”
    • reflect and support goals for inclusion in all programs
    • celebrate inclusion accomplishments and annual present awards
  • “Inclusion is not a service, placement or program. It is a Mindset.”

I’m grateful to Rhode Island College for including me and other community members in this effort.  It shows an institution that is thinking about the welfare of the entire community.  I look forward to all I will learn through my participation.

Sprout Gallery: Accepting Submissions

The Community Gallery at Sprout Co-Working, on the Rising Sun Mills campus, is committed to showing a diverse range of art from artists who represent the diversity of Providence and the state of Rhode Island.  We are currently accepting submissions to be part of our monthly shows during Gallery Night’s 21st season.

To submit, please send a few photos of your work and a brief bio to gallerymanager@sproutri.com. All media are welcomed; drawing, painting, photography, pastel, collage, textile, 3 dimensional works, etc. (We have more wall space than pedestal space so 3D hanging works are encouraged.)  We also have a conference room with a projector and a screen, so we would consider video art as well. All artwork must be workplace appropriate.

The gallery night openings are always the 3rd Thursday of the month. They are open to the public, and friend, family and the entire community is encouraged to attend. The more the merrier! We provide snacks.