Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice

TPAC DEIJ Vision Statement

As a full-service arts school, The Performing Arts Connection actively works to create an inclusive environment for all of our participants. We strive to reflect and celebrate the diversity of our local, national, and global communities in our programming, audience, and staff.

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The faculty and staff at TPAC are engaged in an ongoing process of learning, listening, and deepening our understanding of equity, inclusion, and justice. With reverence, we strive to create, embrace, and support a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just community where all students, families, and faculty and staff members feel respected, acknowledged, valued, and connected to the whole community.

 

We are dedicated to creating and maintaining a welcoming and accessible space for people of all identities, backgrounds, or abilities, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, nationality or immigration status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical/mental ability, appearance, socio-economic status, education level, and political viewpoint. 

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EMPLOYMENT

We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to non-discrimination in employment. We strive to hire the best qualified people based on job-related qualifications and we and do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.  We welcome and encourage candidates who will increase our diversity.

 

ACCESS

·       We are committed to giving every child who wishes to participate at TPAC access to our programs and we continue to learn and grow in this regard.

·       Every year, TPAC grants thousands of dollars in financial aid to students in need.  If you are in need of financial aid, please fill out our application here or inquire, confidentially, with the office.

·       Off-site performances are held at wheelchair-accessible locations with ramps and elevators as needed.

 

ANTI-RACISM

We denounce the injustice and ongoing racial violence happening in the world -- in particular against the Black community -- and we aim to be a part of the solution. We condemn all forms of racism and injustice. We stand with the Black community and we believe Black lives matter. 

·       We strive to include racially diverse voices, both in our hiring process and in our classrooms. 

·       We strive to learn and grow in our decision-making processes in regards to selecting and discussing the content of plays, musicals, choreography storylines, and music. 

·       Our staff and leadership team continue to be provided with anti-bias education and professional development.

 

LGBTQIA+

We are committed to growing in our awareness of issues and concerns that affect persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We strive to provide a safe, affirming community through our actions and policies, including but not limited to the following: providing all-gender restroom facilities; inviting space for teachers and students to share and update their pronouns freely; being aware of our language choices in our communication and conversation; and speaking out for justice for persons of all genders.

 

Through the arts and through our commitment to being a place where everyone gets to be in the limelight, TPAC will continue to be an inclusive organization and one that moves closer to equity and justice.

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January 2022

We are committed to giving every child who wishes to participate at TPAC access to our programs.  Every year, TPAC grants thousands of dollars in financial aid to students in need.  If you are in need of financial aid, please fill out our application here.

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December 2021

As an inclusive organization that is committed to learning and growing, we are making the switch to all-gender restrooms at both the Loft and the Main Space over the next few weeks.  We want to reaffirm that we value every person for who they are and what they contribute, not by what sex they were assigned at birth or gender identity.

 

There are some logistical elements that need to happen (such as installing locks on some of the main restroom entrances to allow for people to use the restroom as a single if they prefer) and we anticipate having our all-gender restrooms fully in place in January.  As always, our dressing rooms continue to be all-gender as well.

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June 2020

As a full-service arts school, TPAC has actively worked to create an inclusive environment for all of our participants. We are aware of the injustice and ongoing racial violence happening in the world -- in particular against the Black community -- and we aim to be a part of the solution. We condemn all forms of racism and injustice. We stand with the Black community and we believe Black lives matter. 

 

As an organization, we have work to do. 

 

•We will reexamine the work we do to include more racially diverse voices, both in our hiring process and in our classrooms. 

 

•We will reevaluate our decision-making processes in regards to selecting and discussing plays, musicals, choreography story lines and music. 

 

•Our staff and leadership team will undergo anti-bias education and action.

 

Through the arts and through our commitment to be a place where everyone gets to be in the limelight, TPAC will continue to be an inclusive organization and one that moves closer to equity and justice.