Change rarely takes the shape we hope, and new challenges arise each day as we navigate this uncharted territory. It is our intention to continue to be transparent with the entire community we serve as we move forward. Since the publication of our letter on July 17th, the following has transpired:
We have been assured that no staff or representative supporting our demands will face any retaliation from the organization. Unfortunately, this is the only demand that, as of September 3rd, has been met.
The Coalition’s demands included a request for an initial working meeting with the Executive Committee to discuss grievances and our next steps, together. A member of our coalition was accidentally cc’ed on a response from one of the board members to their colleagues. This board member stated that their “initial reaction [to our email] is to ignore the Coalition.” While everyone is now aware that the Coalition saw this email, we have not received any acknowledgment or apology. Moreover, we have not received any direct communication from the Executive Committee. This is frustrating, but not surprising, and an example of the complicity that has brought our organization - and the field at large - to this intersection.
While it is not what was asked for, the full staff had the opportunity to be heard by the board at a facilitated listening session (facilitated by the wonderful Alex Meda!) on July 27th. At that session, the board seemed moved by what we had to say and committed to the idea of making change. Since that date, no change or collaboration has happened.
Alex Meda will return on September 8th for an internal meeting with the staff and Coalition, alone.
The Executive Committee has reached out to the staff to share that Alex Meda will return to facilitate a working meeting with the staff (not the coalition) on September 15th.
In general, those in power and those oppressed have two different definitions of what “transparent and collaborative” mean. In imbalanced power structures, these words are interpreted in a conditional manner. Transparency is offered once decisions have already been made, and collaboration is invited as an afterthought. We, the Coalition, want to set A.R.T./New York up as an institution that is progressive, nimble, and representative of the ENTIRE field. The ultimate goal is to establish a flexible and equitable power structure and work environment that applies transparency and collaboration to every aspect of our process and intention.
Our work has just begun, yet overall across the institution, there is a heaviness that has been lifted. There is depth in understanding what we each owe to one another. Ginny’s removal has begun the process of free-flowing ingenuity and sharing of information. There is an openness and an eagerness to communicate and collaborate across departments. While this behavior is in part happening organically, junior staff has been putting in the bulk of the labor into making this shift happen. There is still more work to be done from the leadership at A.R.T./New York. Systems and processes have to be addressed - as we stated in our letter, our conditioning is systemic and has to be addressed systematically.
While challenging and at times even painful- as healing often is, this work is essential and can only happen with the full commitment and support of our community. We do not, as the Executive Committee has also stated, view our relationship as adversarial. But we do need more from this relationship. More accountability. More transparency. And we cannot be ignored if we hope to dismantle the toxic and racist systems that have led us here.
As is so frequently stated in webinars and town halls across the field, this work does not happen in a vacuum. We want to hear from YOU: if you have questions, concerns, ideas, or resources to share please reach out to us through our contact page. We recognize this opportunity to change our own organization affects hundreds of member companies in New York and takes place in solidarity with movements happening across the globe to center equity, inclusion, and justice in our work. We will uplift resources as we encounter them and will share our light and voice with those also demanding to, finally, be seen and heard.
We will continue to remain transparent and accountable to each of you in our work.
In Solidarity,
We Are A.R.T./New York