Ink People Center for the Arts Equity Statement
Updated 2023 (Scroll down for the Ink People Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion Planning Document)
The Ink People is deeply committed to the well-being of the diverse and multicultural communities that comprise our region. We advocate for the cultural sustainability and revitalization of all peoples. We especially acknowledge those among us who have suffered the injustices inherent in a racialized landscape of capitalism and oppression.
We acknowledge that our region’s racial landscape was formed by both physical and political exclusion of non-whites and the exploitation of resources from stolen lands, cultural theft, and genocidal violence. The cities, townships, and rural homesteads we all inhabit today exist on land that was stolen from Wiyot, Yurok, Karuk, Hupa, Wailaki, WInnemem Wintu, Tsnungwe, Pomo groups, Tolowa Dee Ni’, Mattole, and many Indigenous Sovereign Nations that were adopted into these and other tribes to survive colonialism.
The Ink People stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous and People of Color in our community. We believe that Black Lives Matter, and we join our voices in the national and worldwide call for racial equity and social justice for all. We strive to break the cycle of inequity created on this broken foundation and stand against racism, bigotry, and prejudice. Equity is achieved through ally-ship to uplift all who have been harmed by the cultural biases and systemic prejudices aimed at marginalized communities.
We support, collaborate with, and learn from allied community projects to implement long-term culturally appropriate, antiracist strategies for community building through art and culture. Working in collaboration with our DreamMaker projects, we empower culture bearers, artists, and visionaries as they weave liberatory practices into the fabric of our North Coast communities. The Ink People embodies creative advocacy with actions that revitalize communities and build cultural sustainability.
The Ink People’s work is rooted in the belief that all people deserve dignity, respect, belonging, and self-determination, and recognizes the disability rights movement as integral to our work toward racial, economic, and gender equity. We recognize that people with disabilities must be collaborators in any successful fight for justice, and we work with people as individuals to make accommodations to better access programming.
The Ink People also recognizes and values members of the LGBTQIA2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer, intersex, asexual, and two spirit +) community in our cultural and creative ecosystem. Members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community-especially people of color and trans people- continue to face discrimination and persistent efforts to undermine their human rights. Our community benefits from the dynamic, creative contributions of LGBTQIA2S+ peoples.
Our message to the community is this: the cultivation of art and the advancement of diverse cultural values and histories is integral to a thriving community. To all the diverse members of
our community, we applaud your brilliance, vitality, courage, and leadership as you express your unique and wild beauty, as we pledge our continued support toward a future built on justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and respect.
Past/Ongoing Actions (2022):
Paid Internship Program:
The Ink People currently participates in a program through Redwood Coast Regional Center, where we provide a site and staff support for a paid internship. We will look for opportunities to expand this in the future.
Media Arts Resource Zone:
The Ink People supports a youth program for youth ages 12+ where young people receive support in developing new media skills in audio and video recording. Many of the participants are also people from underserved communities. This program is a longstanding, ongoing commitment of the Ink People.
“Disability Pride” event:
In 2021, the Ink People collaborated with Redwood Coast Regional Center, Tri-County Independent Living, and Synapsis Union to put on a “Disability Pride” event. We plan to make this an ongoing collaborative relationship. Elizabeth Hassler and Alissa Norman are leaders/directors of this event.
Executive Director Training:
Ink People Executive Director Leslie Castellano has participated in a 6 part training through Open Future Learning based upon David Hingsburger’s work. Open Future is an online learning provider dedicated to the field of Developmental Disabilities. This training was part of a training offered through Trajectory, a DreamMaker Project of the Ink People that supports career development in the arts and culture sector.
Training with Equity Alliance:
Ink People staff and board participated in a 5 part training with the Equity Alliance. This training addressed implicit bias, systemic racism, institutional racism, microaggressions, working with LGBTQIA2S+ communities,
Eureka Cultural District:
The Ink People has been the convener for the Eureka Cultural Arts District, working with diverse groups for greater cultural visibility and programming in Eureka. These meetings have been taking place throughout 2022. The Cultural District received status from the California Arts Council 2017. The Ink People is working with partners to secure funds for projects related to this work.
Humboldt Creative Alliance:
The Ink People meets regularly with a diverse leadership group in the Humboldt Creative Alliance. This group is actively creating programming to engage underrepresented communities through the arts and to establish opportunities for leadership from diverse community members. These meetings are ongoing.
2023 Planned Actions:
Memorandum of Understanding Update:
The Ink People will be updating its Memorandum of Understanding with DreamMakers to include language related to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
ADA Training for Supervising Staff:
Ink People staff in a supervising position will complete training for “Disability Rights Law Overview” and “Welcoming Customers with Disabilities”. This training will be shared with DreamMakers in one of the Study Group sessions and in the DreamMaker Handbook (described below).
DreamMaker Handbook:
The Ink People is currently creating a handbook of resources for DreamMakers. This handbook will offer a wide range of resources for DreamMakers to grow their programs, including webinars and resources for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. *This will be a living document and resources will be added/updated regularly.
DreamMaker Learning Labs:
The Ink People is working with DreamMaker leaders to launch a series of “Learning Labs” where DreamMakers doing work related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are paid to lead a workshop about their work.
Study Groups:
The Ink People will host a free monthly study group for Ink People staff, board, and DreamMakers to learn about a different topic related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion every month.
Board Representative:
The Ink People will create a DreamMaker leader position on its Board of Directors. This leader will receive an honorarium for participation on the board and will encourage participation by DreamMaker leaders who are involved with Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work.
Policy Updates:
Throughout the Spring and Summer of 2023, the Ink People will be analyzing and updating its policies related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion related work.
DreamMaker Lounge:
The Ink People will create a lounge area for DreamMakers to meet and where educational resources are available.
Ink People Website Update:
The Ink People is in the process of redesigning its website. Inclusivity features will be included on the website in order to make the website more accessible.
As funding allows:
The Ink People will hire a designated DreamMaker support staff person, in addition to current staff who support DreamMaker leaders as part of their daily work. Additionally, the Ink People will update its accounting software so that DreamMakers can more easily access their financial reports. Timing is to be decided, based on securing funding/balanced budget.