Division of the Arts
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee

The Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee was formed to turn our commitment to embrace and serve all members of our diverse arts community into meaningful action.

The committee’s charge is to take action towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at UW–Madison; to create and implement an action plan to support our June 2020 statements of solidarity; to create awareness and action across campus arts units; to increase staff training and knowledge of DEI within the division; and to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

Goals:

  • Ensure key Division of the Arts (DotA) communications and materials align with DEI priorities
  • Continue and strengthen relationships with diverse campus and community partners
  • Increase DEI capacity of DotA staff and make DotA a welcoming and inclusive workplace
  • Review and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of DotA’s programming
  • Support BIPOC and socially marginalized students in and through the arts

This page will be updated regularly as we work towards a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible campus.

Contact

director@arts.wisc.edu

Campus Resources

We call on the unique power of the arts to challenge, illuminate, and transform the status quo in order to bring awareness, healing, empathy, hope, and joy to the interconnected world in which we live.

Susan Zaeske, Interim Director

Action Plan

Based on the commitments and goals outlined above, the IDEA Committee put together an action plan of current efforts as well as initiatives we will pursue in the short-term and long-term.

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Communications

Current:

  • Integrated Marketing & Communications staff will present quarterly at Division staff meetings on measurable indicators
  • Review Arts on Campus materials to make sure they are culturally appropriate and relevant
  • Center and highlight BIPOC artists in social media
  • Implement use of accessible language and accessible technologies in our communication materials consistent with the audiences we are trying to reach

Future:

  • Clearly articulate IDEA priority in the DotA mission, vision, and core values

Outreach

Current:

  • Promote campus and community arts events via DotA communications channels
  • Maintain memberships with local cultural organizations
  • Continue or increase amount of advertising in diverse local media outlets

Future:

  • Connect and establish relationships with identified student multicultural organizations or initiatives (preferably arts-focused) to learn how we can support them with their programming

Long-Term:

  • Provide active support to identified student organizations based on feedback

Workplace

Current:

  • Research, compile and share self-education resources
  • Require all Division of the Arts employees to engage in dedicated DEI training and education

Future:

  • Improve percentage of candidates with socially marginalized identities for DotA’s hiring pool

Programming

Current:

  • Explore possibility of a DEI Arts Committee (Working Group) including BIPOC arts faculty, staff and students

Future:

  • Review programming and increase hiring of BIPOC artists for each DotA program
  • Include an IDEA statement in calls for Creative Arts Awards and Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program (IARP)
  • Include BIPOC IARP artists and guests in programming with The Studio Creative Arts Learning Community

Student Support

Future:

  • Create a running list of potential BIPOC artists for future calls and opportunities (more in the region for mentoring for in-person)
  • Survey the interests and priorities of student organizations for engaging in artist dialogue to begin establishing relationships with student organizations relevant to IDEA vision

Long-Term:

  • Partner with The Studio and student organizations to hire BIPOC artists to speak about their practice and plan programming in partnership with student organization(s)
  • Work on finding a solution to prevent student awards from impacting financial aid
  • Host a fundraiser for arts students
  • Establish new awards or funding that supports BIPOC arts production, research, and scholarship
  • Awards and funding opportunities specifically welcoming work that advances IDEA vision and priorities or addresses IDEA issues
  • Research existence of “safe spaces” for students of color on campus to either create or display their artwork, and if needed create a Division-sponsored or led space

Updates