Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan for TYP
Theater for Young Professionals (TYP) stands with others for equity and justice and in denouncing racism, intolerance, and exclusion. Yet taking a stand is not enough. TYP, along with many other charitable nonprofits, have been on a path of exploration to identify how to build the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all of its operations, as well as model those values as we advance our mission.
TYP believes that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion as organizational values is a way to intentionally make space for positive outcomes to flourish, whether in direct services or in the nonprofit capacity building and/or public policy spheres. Therefore, to support a creative life for all, TYP commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empowers a just, inclusive and equitable culture.
DEFINITION OF CULTURAL EQUITY
Cultural equity embodies the values, policies, and practices that ensure that all people—including but not limited to those who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, family configuration, or religion—are represented in the development of arts policy; the support of artists; the nurturing of accessible and thriving venues for expression; and the fair distribution of programmatic, financial, and informational resources.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & AFFIRMATIONS
- In the United States, there are systems of power that grant privilege and access unequally such that inequity and injustice result, and that must be continuously addressed and changed.
- Cultural equity is critical to the long-term viability of the arts sector.
- All humans must all hold ourselves accountable, because acknowledging and challenging our inequities and working in partnership as to how to correct them is how we will make change happen.
- Everyone deserves equal access to a full, vibrant creative life, which is essential to a healthy and democratic society.
- The prominent presence of artists challenges inequities and encourages alternatives.
MODELING THROUGH ACTION
To provide informed, authentic leadership for cultural equity, TYP strives to…
- Pursue cultural consciousness throughout our organization through substantive learning and formal, transparent policies.
- Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within its policies, systems, programs, and services, and report on organization progress in these areas.
- Commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our board, staff, and advisory bodies.
- Seek out and consider producing theatrical works that are written by authors who are part of these underrepresented populations; contain characters who belong to these underrepresented populations; and/or explore issues affecting these underrepresented populations.