In May, Americans for the Arts (AFTA) released a Statement on Cultural Equity, coming after a year of work and conversation with members, advisory council members, stakeholders in the arts field, board, staff, and partners. The final statement reads: “To support a full creative life for all, Americans for the Arts commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable nation.”
Cultural equity is a hot topic, and the blogosphere responded with plenty of rich food for thought. So, instead of a single featured blog this month, we invite you to sample a range of reactions to the AFTA statement and let us know what you think by commenting at the end of this article.
- The Humble Step, by Clayton Lord, Vice President of Local Arts Advancement for Americans for the Arts
- The State and Statements of Changing Inequities, by Erick Booth, Teaching Artist
- Avoiding the Cultural Equity Blob, by Lindsay Tucker So, Research & Policy Associate for the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts
- Disability – We Need to Keep Speaking Up!, by Beth Prevor, Executive Director of Hands On
- Sorry – A (Respectful) Dissent on a Well-Meaning Statement on Arts Equity, by Douglas McLennan, Founder and Editor of ArtsJournal
- Some Thoughts on the Americans for the Arts Statement on Cultural Equity, by Gary Steuer, President & CEO of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation