Diversity Statement

Statement on Diversity

Diversity, generally understood and embraced, is not casual liberal tolerance of anything and everything not yourself. It is not polite accommodation. Instead, diversity is, in action, the sometimes painful awareness that other people, other races, other voices, other habits of mind, have as much integrity of being, as much claim on the world as you do…And I urge you, amid all the differences present to the eye and mind, to reach out to create the bond that…will protect us all. We are meant to be here together.

William M. Chase, The Language of Action

History

The Art Center’s previous position papers concerning the issues of diversity and lesser–served audiences were presented in the form of two separate position papers. The “Position Paper on Multiculturalism” was written in 1992, and was followed by a position paper on “under–served audiences.” Since the writing of these two papers, the population of Indianapolis and that of the Art Center have drastically changed. The current paper is a reflection of this ever–changing climate and of the complex issue of diversity in our society today.

Philosophy

The Indianapolis Art Center believes that creativity through the arts is essential for a more balanced society. The mission of the Indianapolis Art Center is “to engage, enlighten and enhance our communities through art education, participation, and observation.” Understood in this mission statement is the philosophy that communities by definition are all–inclusive, made up of those who utilize our services, programs or facilities, as well as those who potentially could. We honor the unique spirit of diversity, in all its forms, including race, ethnic or cultural identity, gender, social–economic status, rural or urban location, disability/ability, lifestyle, religious belief or identity, sexual orientation, age or knowledge levels.

We take responsibility in recognizing and celebrating the diversity of both local and global communities through programs and services designed to strengthen and stimulate creativity. Our charge is to offer the widest possible scope of programming to all communities.

Rationale

To nurture and actively support diversity, the Indianapolis Art Center extends its efforts in recognizing all people as interconnected and part of the same human family. Differences and similarities are acknowledged and appreciated for their contributions in creative expression and society as a whole. The desire to experience and participate in the process of creativity is not limited to select groups of people; it is an essential element of human expression.

Policies & Procedures

The mission of the Art Center is to “engage, enlighten and enhance our communities through art education, participation and observation.”

Each year the President / Executive Director directs all Department Heads to develop their departmental goals and objectives. The Indianapolis Art Center’s Vision and Mission Statement, the Master Plan and the Position Paper on Diversity, as well as philosophies particular to their departments inform these goals. These goals are shared with the chairs of each Standing Committee of the Board, which helps the committee determine their annual objectives in alignment with management staff.

Training and professional development for staff and faculty must continue evolving to meet the needs that diversity brings. In addition, well–balanced representation on the Board, Faculty, Advisors and staff shall be nurtured and maintained. Partnerships, collaborations and affiliations established with a wide variety of communities and organizations should also support these efforts.

While demographic statistics will change and fluctuate, developing a global frame of reference becomes increasingly important as advances in technology expand our contact with one another while simultaneously shrinking our world. Demographic statistics may be used as a tool to make informed decisions, however they must not be the driving factor behind our philosophy.

It is imperative that the Art Center continuously seeks out and identifies those audiences and individuals who have not enjoyed or contributed to the benefits and programs provided by the Art Center. We must then strive to develop programs that will attract and include those audiences. Respect for the diverse needs of audience members must be kept foremost in the development of new programs.

For Further Information

Please contact the Indianapolis Art Center’s Director of Outreach at 317.255.2464, ext. 235.