A.R.T. is centering anti-racism as a core value, including in our policies, structure, programming, philanthropy, communications, pedagogy, and workplace culture. Our journey will be sustained, ongoing, and foundational to our theater.
November 18, 2021
A.R.T. Anti-Racism Update
The A.R.T. is releasing today the fourth of our ongoing reports to update our audiences, artists, and community on our action steps to make theater and performance that is anti-racist and equitable for all.
For this fourth report, we are sharing Yancey Consulting’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Report, which was produced by our partners at Yancey Consulting, a visionary consulting firm committed to facilitating transformation for just, equitable, and thriving societies. This report offers an overview of the A.R.T.’s scope of work with Yancey Consulting over the past year, a process that engaged A.R.T. staff, board members, and external partners in interrogating critical areas of focus through a lens of anti-racism. Building and Weaving teams collaborated on a series of recommendations that were presented to the Kitchen Cabinet, a core group of staff and board members who have been tasked with driving these recommendations forward. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the staff and board-produced recommendations and the processes that took place to arrive at them.
We are sharing this report publicly in an effort to remain accountable, transparent, and open. Read the Report
Below is an index to guide you through the report:
- Acknowledgements (page 2)
- Membership of the Kitchen Cabinet and Building and Weaving Teams (page 3)
- Context (page 7)
- Prioritized Issues from the Building and Weaving Teams (page 14)
- Final Words from Lisa Yancey, President of Yancey Consulting (page 19)
As we emerge from our collaboration with Yancey Consulting and approach the anniversary of the first of our Anti-Racism Quarterly Reports, we are in a moment of reflection on how our working culture has shifted to embed anti-racism in all aspects of our institution. A year ago, the A.R.T. took the important step of articulating our values, beginning with our commitment to center anti-racism in all that we do.
Currently, the A.R.T. is developing proposals of how to build on the learning from the Yancey Report and its recommendations. We have created a new position for a full-time Community Organizing Manager, who, along with the Anti-Racism Engagement Organizer, collaborate across the theater to encourage a culture of connection and learning through a lens of anti-racism and anti-oppression.
As we have noted in previous reports, the A.R.T.’s process to become an anti-racist theater is ongoing. As we continue to share our progress, we welcome your feedback, comments, and questions. We invite you to reach out to us at Feedback@amrep.org.