Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Policy
Adopted: June 2022

Our Commitment
At Urban Arts Collective, we believe the arts are a powerful tool for social change, healing, and community empowerment. We are committed to fostering an environment where equity, diversity, and inclusion are not only values we uphold, but principles we put into action across every facet of our organization—from leadership to programming to community engagement.

Definitions

• Equity means recognizing and addressing historical and systemic barriers that have created unequal opportunities. We commit to allocating resources and support to ensure fair outcomes for all.
• Diversity refers to the wide range of identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that make up our community—including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, socioeconomic status, and culture.
• Inclusion means creating spaces where all people feel welcomed, respected, heard, and valued, and where they can fully participate and thrive.

Guiding Principles

1. Representation Matters
   We are intentional about creating leadership, staff, teaching artists, board members, and collaborators that reflect the communities we serve, particularly in Oak Cliff.
2. Cultural Responsiveness
   Our programming honors and uplifts the voices and experiences of historically marginalized communities. We aim to create artistic spaces that reflect the lived realities and rich cultural traditions of our participants.
3. Accessible Opportunities
   We strive to eliminate barriers to participation by offering free or low-cost arts education, providing ADA-compliant facilities, and designing programs that are accessible across all levels of ability and experience.
4. Inclusive Practices
   We foster a culture where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Discrimination, harassment, or exclusion of any kind will not be tolerated in any part of our organization.
5. Community Engagement and Accountability
   We listen to our community. We welcome feedback from our participants, partners, and stakeholders and use it to shape our practices and grow as an organization.
6. Ongoing Learning
   We are committed to continuous education and training in equity, anti-racism, and inclusive practices for all staff, board members, and volunteers.

Implementation Strategies

• Conduct regular equity audits of our policies, programming, and hiring practices.
• Create measurable goals and benchmarks for EDI progress.
• Provide annual training in anti-bias, anti-racism, and inclusive pedagogy.
• Actively recruit diverse talent and foster pathways for leadership among underrepresented groups.
• Establish a safe and clear mechanism for reporting and addressing instances of discrimination or bias.