Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

Indy Art Center Mission

The mission of the Indy Art Center is to inspire creative expression in all people.

Indy Art Center IDEA Committee Mission

Review, create, and implement strategies to ensure that the Indy Art Center is a WELCOMING place that will inspire creative expression in ALL PEOPLE.

Three Key Areas of Focus for the IDEA Committee (formerly Task Force):

1) Organization (Internal Policies/Procedure/Employment Practices/Culture)

• Review, create and implement strategies to ensure that our employment and administrative policies are fair, equitable, and welcoming to people of all diverse backgrounds and not biased (intentionally or unintentionally) against people on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, biological sex, disability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.
• Enable an inclusive culture and create a space of psychological safety for all.
• Intentionally attract, hire, and retain diverse talent for the art center at all levels of the organization.

2) Programming (Internal IAC Programming Such As Course Offerings, Exhibitions, ArtReach)

• Review, create and implement strategies to ensure that our programming is inclusive and accessible.
• Identify and understand any barriers to participation in on-site and virtual Indianapolis Art Center programming.
• Examine practices in Outreach (off-site) programming to ensure inclusion and equity continue to be driving tenants of our work.
• Seek to welcome and retain patrons, students, and staff from all backgrounds.

3) Community (External)

• Review, create, and implement strategies to ensure that the ART center is welcoming
  in to all current and potential students, patrons, donors, etc.
• Work with external partners to serve communities throughout Indianapolis.

The Indy Art Center recognizes that there is room for improvement in how we engage with all and commit to ongoing actions to demonstrate our inclusiveness. We recognize that in this ongoing evaluation of our practices, and we are committing to long-term strategies for improvement and that continual review will be necessary for success.

Review and Appointment of External Consultant

In addition to the three key areas of focus, the committee-at-large will review applications and proposals from external consultants and auditors to aid in the work of implementing our stated goals. The committee will further have the responsibility of facilitating the consultants’ work with all appropriate audiences.

Accountability

The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Committee reports directly to the Board of Directors at large, superseding standing committees. The recommendations and actions put forth by the committee will be executed operationally by the President and Executive Director of the Indy Art Center, with accountability held by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

Statement on Cultural Equity

To inspire creative expression in all people, the Indy Art Center commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable arts community.  

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, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, or religion—are represented in the development of arts programming; the support of artists; an accessible thriving venue for creativity; and the fair distribution of 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 Indy Art Center and the arts community.  
• We must all hold ourselves accountable through our own policies, practices, and values. Through the review, creation, and implementation of equitable policies and practices, along with the acknowledgment and challenge of our own inequities and biases is how we, as an organization, make positive change.  
• Enable an inclusive culture and create a space of psychological safety for all.  
• Intentionally attract, hire, and retain diverse talent for the Art Center at all levels of the organization.  

Modeling Through Action  

To provide informed, authentic leadership for cultural equity, we strive to…  

• Pursue cultural consciousness throughout our organization through substantive learning and formal, transparent policies.  
• Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services, and report organization progress.  
• Commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our board, staff, and advisory bodies.  

Fueling Progress in the Arts Sector

To pursue needed systemic change related to equity, we strive to…  

• Encourage substantive learning to build cultural consciousness and to proliferate pro-equity and anti-racist policies and practices by all of our community members.  
• Improve the cultural pipeline by creating and supporting programs and policies that foster creative expression and reflect the diversity of our community.  

• Advocate for cultural equity within the arts community.  

The Indy Art Center recognizes that there is always room for improvement in how we engage with all and commit to ongoing actions to demonstrate our inclusiveness. We recognize that in this ongoing evaluation of our practices, and we are committing to long term strategies for improvement and that continual review will be necessary for success.