To inspire the creative spirit of the entire Helena-area community, The Myrna Loy commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a multitude of different voices, cultural expressions, partnerships, and opportunities for engagement and leadership.
DEFINITION OF CULTURAL EQUITY
Cultural equity embodies 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 encouraged to participate in the life of The Myrna Loy. Our commitment to cultural equity is embedded in the development of policies, practices, partnerships, and careers at The Myrna Loy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND AFFIRMATIONS
– Everyone deserves equal access to a full, vibrant creative life, which is essential to a healthy and democratic society.
– Throughout history, systems of power have, intentionally and unintentionally, granted privilege and access unequally, creating inequity and injustice that must be continuously addressed and changed.
– In the vast landscape of Montana, geographic distances, remoteness, multi-layered histories, and other factors contribute to considerations of cultural equity, and we endeavor to consider those factors honestly and creatively.
– Cultural equity is critical to the long-term viability of the arts in America.
– We strive to hold ourselves accountable, because acknowledging and challenging our inequities, and working in partnership with our whole community, is how we build the strongest, most community-centered organization.
MODELING THROUGH ACTION
To provide informed, authentic leadership for cultural equity, we strive to…
– Pursue cultural consciousness throughout our organization in our hiring and recruiting practices, our programming, our operations, and our governance.
– Acknowledge and address inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services, to the best of our ability, and to report organizational progress among board, staff, and the public.
– Continue to support diverse leadership within our board, staff, and advisory bodies.
– Embrace and support cultural and artistic voices of all traditions and cultures, especially those cultures rooted in Montana.
– Practice radical welcome and respect to all artists, patrons, staff members and visitors, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and inclusion.
– Partner with groups and organizations throughout the community, especially focusing on empowering under-represented voices in addressing issues and topics significant to the Helena-area community and our world.
