Commitment to Equity Virtual Town Halls
UPDATED: August 31, 2023. The Circle of Care — Gender Identity town hall, originally scheduled September 2, 2023, has been postponed.
What is this moment asking of us?
To support and nurture diverse art and artist-led city building to foster not only a resilient and sustainable arts ecosystem, but also to achieve a truly equitable, inclusive and accessible city where everyone belongs.
Calgary Arts Development is committed to bettering our systems regarding equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA). As a public agency stewarding public dollars for the benefit of all Calgarians, we aspire to foster a resilient and sustainable arts sector that is safe and welcoming for all, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, language, citizenship, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical or mental abilities.
Please join us for a series of Commitment to Equity Virtual Town Halls. These sessions take place over Zoom and are free and open to everyone. Registration is required for each individual session you plan to attend.
A Deeper Understanding of Land Acknowledgements
with Michelle Robinson
Do you see yourself as a Treaty partner? Have you understood what land acknowledgements are meant to be? Do you know when it’s appropriate to say a land acknowledgement? This session will help you understand more about land acknowledgements, and more.
Monday, June 19, 2023
12 – 2pm
Register here
Racial Equity in the Workplace I
hosted by Toyin Oladele
A conversation with arts organizations discussing hiring policies, practices and internal procedures that help them hire and engage artists, staff and volunteers in an equitable way.
Thursday, July 27, 2023
12 – 2pm
Register here
Racial Equity in the Workplace II
hosted by Toyin Oladele
A conversation with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour)-led arts organizations surrounding some of the intentional policies and practices they have created and followed, and practical ways they support team members who are from visible minority groups, BIPOC communities or who represent any form of diversity.
Thursday, August 24, 2023
12 – 2pm
Register here
POSTPONED: Circle of Care – Gender Identity
led by Sable Sweetgrass
Close on the heels of Pride Week, join an Indigenous-led panel discussion as four trans and gender non-binary artists share their experiences of identity and culture and making art. Questions from the curious and allies are welcome.
This event was originally scheduled for September 5, 2023 but it has been postponed. This page will be updated when new information becomes available.
Racial Equity in the Workplace III
hosted by Toyin Oladele
A conversation with BIPOC arts leaders to explore some of the challenges they have encountered getting hired in the arts community as a leader from a minority group. We will explore their stories and the stories they’ve heard from their community.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
12 – 2pm
Register here
Disability Culture and Justice
led by JD Derbyshire
What is the potential and promise of defining persons with disabilities as a cultural group? Come learn and grapple with the idea that persons with disabilities have forged a group identity. In this sociopolitical model of disability, you’ll come to understand that persons with disabilities share a common history of oppression and a common bond of resilience. We generate art, music, literature, performance, film, and other expressions of our lives, culturally infused from our experiences of disability. We claim our disability with pride as part of our identities. We work together, recognizing the need to be seen as a cultural group as a way to educate others and to eliminate ableism and saneism for all. Join Mad Activist and Disability Justice Advocate JD Derbyshire for this presentation and discussion to mark the International Day of Disabilities (Dec. 3, 2023).
Monday, December 4, 2023
12 – 2 pm
Register here
These virtual town halls take place through Zoom and will be interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) with captioning available.
Registering for these town halls confirms that you have read and agree to our group agreements. If you have questions, please send them to edia@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
