Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Ann Arbor Civic Theatres’ Anti-Racism Policy and Statement of Solidarity are living documents that espouse the values of our organization and hold us accountable in our commitment to take action against the system of racial discrimination that results in lack of access and opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. For the purposes of this Anti-Racism Policy and Statement of Solidarity, BIPOC includes Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

We recognize that we operate in and benefit from an industry that is plagued by systemic racism. We fully acknowledge that Ann Arbor Civic Theatre has made mistakes. We have been complicit in operating within a system that benefits from white supremacy. We recognize that intentional and unintentional actions have caused harm to the BIPOC community. We acknowledge that Ann Arbor Civic Theatre resides on the stolen traditional territory of the Bodéwadmiakiwen, Anishinabewaki, Peoria, and Meškwahki-aša-hina peoples. We will use our time, resources, and unending learning to work toward a promise that equity will be fully integrated into our practice and purpose.

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre will institute the following actionable goals:

PEOPLE:

  • Incorporate anti-racism training into our onboarding process for Board and Staff; equip everyone in our organization with a basic toolkit for participating an anti-racist theatre space.

  • Write a new harassment policy using an anti-racist lens, ensuring equitable and safe pathways to report instances of racism or discrimination

  • Institute conflict resolution training and protocols for Staff and Volunteers

  • Cultivate a board that better represents the demographics of Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan

  • Compile an anti-racism library, including all manner of media our members have found informative in their anti-racism journeys and make that accessible to all, with some of it required reading for our Board, Staff, and Volunteers.

  • Actively engage BIPOC artists and community members in decision-making processes within A2CT

OPERATIONS:

  • Allocate space, time and resources to  invite, acknowledge, and provide a platform for marginalized and underrepresented voices.

  • Continue to include DEI and anti-racism in all Visioning and Strategic Planning for A2CT

  • Create Focus Groups and listen actively to community needs, wants, and expectations

  • Institute an annual review to hold A2CT accountable and ensure continued progress in meeting our anti-racism goals and creating new goals

  • Seek out BIPOC vendors, artists, and organizations with whom we can collaborate

ARTISTIC:

  • Offer diverse stories on all of our stages, making conscious choices about who gets to tell these stories

  • Engage a BIPOC Dramaturg for productions centered on BIPOC stories; and create a program to develop BIPOC Dramaturgs.

  • Encourage and measure diversity within artistic staff and performers