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Our Statement on #BlackLivesMatter

Racism and anti-blackness exists in every aspect of our society. Much of the racial injustice and violence experienced by the Black community starts at home, in the office, studios, classes, galleries, theaters and many more. To stand in solidarity with the Black community, means that we, One Columbia, commit to do what we can to affect change within our own spaces and beyond.

Our commitment continues to be:

  • Ensuring artists and arts workers we work with are paid and supported. 
  • Paying attention to the areas and zip codes that have long been ignored. 
  • Acknowledging when we go wrong and learning how we can do better.

It is up to us, and folks from all walks of life, to work towards uprooting racism and many of the other isms and baseless phobias from our community and workplaces. We believe that is not enough to say it, we must mean it. While our resources are limited, we do hope that we can continue to be a part of the conversations and actions, that lead towards racial equity and viability in our arts and culture community. And most of all, we will continue to support and uplift Black voices and ventures inasmuch as we can, because when these voices win, we all win.

#BlackLivesMatter

— From the desk of One Columbia for Arts and Culture


Our commitment towards equity

Columbia Map of Infinite Connectedness (CMIC) by artist and community organizer Michael Dantzler

Our statement in support of the Black Lives Matter movement is a reflection of our to amplify and implement equity through all facets of the arts & culture space.

We hope that continue to work towards cultural equity, to 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 policy; the support of artists; the nurturing of accessible, thriving venues for expression; and the fair distribution of programmatic, financial, and informational resources” ( see: Americans for the Arts Statement on Cultural Equity).

So while we’re still working on our Amplify for the city of Columbia, here are organizations either researching and/or implementing equity in the arts & culture space.

Organizations working on equity in the Arts & Culture industry

  • The Incluseum
    • The Incluseum is a project based in Seattle, Washington that advances new ways of being a museum through critical dialogue, community building and collaborative practice related to inclusion in museums. The Incluseum is facilitated and coordinated by Aletheia Wittman and Rose Paquet. They offer toolkits for folks interested in engaging actions and discussions centered on equity and inclusion within the museum space.
  • Grantmakers in the Arts
    • Grantmakers in the Arts only national association of both public and private arts and culture funders in the US and Canada focused on providing valuable professional development for arts grantmakers through conferences, and workshops. In a recent article the GIA discussing “Why Equity Matters: New Ideas and Action Steps
  • American Alliance of Museums
  • Springboard for the Arts Cultural Exchange
    • Springboard for the Arts Cultural Exchange is a platform filled with practical artist-created toolkits to spark change and stories to inspire connection. It’s an extension of the Springboard for the Arts organization, an economic and community development organization for artists and developed by artists.
  • Alternate ROOTS 
    • For about 44 years, Alternate ROOTS supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in community, place, tradition or spirit. Based in the South, Alternate ROOTs is comprised of artists and organizer working towards a better future with the call for social and economic justice and are working to dismantle all forms of oppression – everywhere. Visit their page to learn more about their programs around the South.
  • Museum of Hue
    • Museum Hue is an arts platform for people of color. It’s a great asset for anyone curious about how they can add to the cohesion between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) creatives and communities with opportunities and experiences in arts and culture. Make sure check out the Hue Museums directory, and see which museums are culturally-responsive museums created by & centering Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color.
  • Mural Arts Program

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