Cultural Equity and Inclusion Statement

Arts for Santa Clarita is dedicated to enriching our community through the development and facilitation of arts programming, facilities, education, support, and advocacy. We recognize that in order to support full, creative lives for all members of our community, we must commit to policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive and equitable society and build a greater understanding, respect for, and awareness of the cultural contributions of the many diverse groups in the City of Santa Clarita.

Definition of Cultural Equity

Cultural equity embodies the values, policies, and practices that ensure that all people – including but not limited to those who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, or religion – are represented in the development of arts policy; the support of artists; the nurturing of accessible, thriving venues for expression; and the fair distribution of programmatic, financial, and informational resources.

Perspective, Acknowledgments & Affirmations

Equity is a journey. In Santa Clarita, as in the rest of the United States, there are systems of power that grant privilege and access unequally such that inequity and injustice result. These must be continuously addressed and challenged in an active and dynamic process.
We must hold ourselves accountable by acknowledging and challenging inequities and working in partnership to make change happen.
Equal access to a full, vibrant creative life is essential to a healthy, democratic community.
A diverse and vibrant arts sector promotes the empathy and civic engagement necessary to building a more equal and just society.

Actions

Our goal is the assurance that the diversity of all people throughout our valley will be represented and supported in the development of arts policies and programs.
To that end, we will commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our board and advisory committee
We will advocate for public policy that promotes cultural equity within the Santa Clarita Valley.