Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our industry wants them and knows they are something to value; we just sometimes don't always know how to go about it. We know it isn't enough to try and program to DEI, but we need to ensure our hiring practices reflect this value as well.
We were so lucky to have a wonderful panel of people working hard to address these issues, especially as they relate to hiring staff:
Brigitte McQueen Shew, Founder + Executive Director, The Union for Contemporary Art
Gennean Scott, Director of Human Resources, Omaha Performing Arts
J. Dominic Green, Community Engagement Manager, Omaha Performing Arts
One of the startling discussions is to hire with DEI principles in mind, there needs to be a pool of applicants that are diverse. In some of our specific industries, that can be a big problem as our skill sets are so very specific when hiring artists and performers in a specific genre that sometimes we have a hard time finding diverse applicants that exist. There aren't many parents out there that hope their child pins their hopes, dreams, and income plans on being an artist or performer, so the pool can be slim. But it did bring about a great discussion on how we can fix it: through education starting at a pre-k and elementary level, continuing through their education journey. If we don't talk with students about how it IS possible to make a living in our sector, then our industry will continue to suffer to be achromatic.
Our panel friends had a lot of great ideas of how even in this climate we can find ways to look for a more diverse staff and artist pool, and we are so grateful they were willing to take on this topic that needs attention and care.
Let's go educate and be open minded!