BASIS OF UNITY

What is our Basis of Unity?

Last reviewed by the Arts BC Board on September 26/23.

The Basis of Unity is intended to affirm and guide Arts BC in its role in creating a more equitable arts/culture/heritage sector in BC and beyond. This work is evolving and ongoing, as we identify and address systemic inequities and barriers within our own work and the sector at large.

Arts BC recognizes the many forms of systemic oppression that continue to function within the arts/culture/heritage sector. This oppression is intersectional and complex; and plays out in overt and covert ways through individual interactions; organizational policies, practices, structures, and governance; distribution of funding and opportunities; and more.

Arts BC understands equity as critical to the sector; our work and mission; and the health of our organization and the arts communities we serve.

Arts BC acknowledges the role of the Arts Service sector to influence and advocate for systems change. We understand this work as a shared responsibility and opportunity to work together towards sustained change.

Arts BC acknowledges that good intention is not enough; anti-oppressive practice requires individuals to commit to ongoing learning and awareness of the systems and dynamics which disempower some and privilege others.

Arts BC also recognizes the need for organizational commitments beyond individual learning and awareness and is committed to the ongoing process of self-critical adaptation, embodying principles of equity in our work, and supporting our membership and communities to do the same.

To fulfill our role in this work, Arts BC strives to:

• Undertake our work through an equity lens; embody principles of equity in all areas including programming, hiring, partnerships, governance, budgeting, leadership, etc.
• Prioritize people and relationships: lead with respect and integrity; redistribute power; collaborate; and support others.
• Practice and encourage transparency, including acknowledging and addressing missteps/harm/negligence and implementing lessons learned in tangible ways.
• Advocate for public policy that promotes equity. Challenge systems and policies that create inequity, oppression and disparity.

Arts BC abides by the following action items:

• Prioritize equity in all ways that are operationally feasible.
• Use a 50/30 framework (minimum 50% women and gender diverse, minimum 30% of other under-represented groups) to guide hiring, programming, and board recruitment (strive to maintain 50/30 minimum for leadership, full team, contractors, presenters, etc).
• Pursue cultural competency throughout our organization by creating substantive learning opportunities and formal, transparent policies.
• Identify and dismantle any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services, and continually update and report organization progress.
• Commit time and resources to expand and support diverse leadership within our board, team, committee, and advisory bodies.
• Continue to provide equity-focussed programming and training to support sector-wide learning.
• Pool resources and increase impact by collaborating with value-aligned peers.

To ensure accountability, Arts BC will:

• Publish this Basis of Unity and related policies on our website.
• Dedicate board time throughout the year to monitor how operations reflect our values and equity commitments as laid out in our policies, strategic plan, operational plan, and other relevant documents.
• Review this and related equity policies annually.

Have Questions?

Are you interested in learning more or have questions about our Basis of Unity and how we apply it to our work at Arts BC? Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at +1-778-410-5104.