EDI WORKSHOPS FOR THE ARTS

STARTING | January 2021

The national arts community is engaged in a conversation about how to become more accessible and equitably diverse. In response to this, The West Side Show Room has collaborated with EDI Facilitator Denise Yvette Serna to create an ongoing series called EDI (Equity Diversity Inclusion) Workshops For The Arts which addresses the needs of the Rockford area arts community.

The workshops are funded by generous grants from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Illinois Department of Human Services/Chicago Community Trust, and Rockford Area Arts Council. These grants enable The WSSR to offer the workshops at reduced cost or free to anyone associated with a Rockford area arts organization.

Below you will find course descriptions, schedule, pricing and registration information.

THE WORKSHOPS

EDI For Arts Leaders

An introductory course for board members, staff, or volunteers who work with people with different identities in creative workspaces. Course Description—>

Anti-Racism Action Planning For Arts Orgs

Assess where your org stands and devise a plan to hold yourself accountable. Connect and collaborate with people who aren’t currently represented. Course Description—>

INSTRUCTOR

Denise Yvette Serna

Denise Yvette Serna is a theatre practitioner and arts activist. She has facilitated international workshops and productions with Global Hive Laboratories and its partners, as well as readings, fundraisers, panels, and festivals to raise awareness and promote activism about racial equity, accessibility, climate justice, gender violence, immigration, literacy, community collaboration, and collective joy. Chicago directing and curating credits include productions with MCA Chicago, The Latinx Theatre Commons, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Prop Thtr, Strawdog Theatre Company, Pop Magic Productions, The Neo-Futurists, Victory Gardens Theater, Writers Theatre, Goodman Theatre, El Semillero, and Steep Theatre Company. Producing Credits include Dreams Beyond Borders: New Roots at Howard Area Community Center, Pop Magic’s salon series HOMESET, and The Syndicate’s FIRST READ. Denise is committed to supporting arts organizations as they champion equity, diversity, access and inclusion, and move forward as transformative Anti-Racist forces in their communities. deniseyvetteserna.com

Denise served as Festival Director of the 2018 Rockford New Play Festival, and facilitated EDI training for the WSSR Board of Directors and stakeholders in 2017.

OUR STORY

In September 2017, members of The West Side Show Room Board, along with several stakeholders from our community, participated in a 6 week Equity Diversity Inclusion Workshop facilitated by Denise Yvette Serna.

Through development of a common language and shared awareness, this work resulted in a fundamental shift in the thinking and attitude of our organization. It was in this moment that we decided that nothing was more important than striving to be a more equitably inclusive organization.

Our mission is to “make room for everyone to participate in the performing arts,” and we frame every decision we make by asking the question “does this make room?”

THE GRANTS

EDI Workshops For The Arts is made possible by a generous Community Grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.  

The mission of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is to serve as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, preserve, and grow an endowment for the current and future needs of the people of Northern Illinois. Since its founding in 1953, CFNIL has granted more than $65 million for charitable purposes in the region.

EDI Workshops For The Arts is made possible by a generous Healing Illinois Grant, a statewide initiative developed in partnership by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Chicago Community Trust.

EDI Workshops For The Arts is made possible by a generous Arts Access Grant from the Rockford Area Arts Council. 

The Rockford Area Arts Council supports, promotes, and develops the arts for everyone in the Northern Illinois region.

SCHEDULE

EDI Workshops For The Arts will be offered year-round to accommodate new participants and leaders as they enter creative spaces. More dates will be added based on interest and funding availability.

PRICING & ELIGIBILITY

PRICING

1. Standard Registration: Open to everyone

2. Arts Org Registration: Reduced Cost. Anyone affiliated with a Rockford area arts organization receives $50-$100 off the cost of registration.

3. Open Registration: Free / Add A Donation. If attending would cause you or your arts organization financial hardship or otherwise be cost-prohibitive, we encourage you to register for Open Registration at no cost to you. If you are comfortable making a donation, we encourage you to donate at a level that feels appropriate to you. Open to anyone affiliated with a Rockford area arts organization.

ARTS ORG ELIGIBILITY

WSSR has received grants which allow us to offer these workshops at a reduced cost or free to Rockford Area arts organizations.

To qualify for Arts Org or Open Registration:

1. you must be affiliated with a nonprofit organization whose primary mission is arts-based

2. your org must be located in the Rockford area (Boone, Ogle, Stephenson or Winnebago County).

3. Open to anyone who is a board member, employee, contractor, volunteer, participant— or anyone currently active or who will be active in a Rockford area arts organization.

*Fees are per attendee

GOOGLE CLASSROOM

During COVID-19 we need to meet virtually. Google Classroom serves as a central location for documents, exercises, and meeting links you will use over the course of workshops. It allows you to chart your progress and communicate with your instructor and workshop cohort.

Both EDI For Arts Leaders and Anti-Racism Action Planning use Google Classroom, which means you will need a Google Account.

GOOGLE ACCOUNT

If you use Gmail or if your organization uses G Suite:

1. You have a Google Account.

2. Use this email address when registering

If you do not have a Gmail or G Suite:

1. Sign up for a google account here: accounts.google.com/signup

2. Use this email address when registering

-or-

If you prefer to not sign up for a Google Account: 

1. Please let us know at education@wssr.org

2. We will provide you with a temporary account to use for the workshop
   

DON’T KNOW IF YOUR ORG USES G SUITE?

Contact your org’s email administrator, or check here: googledomaintester.com

If your org uses G Suite:

1. your email will work even if it doesn't end in "gmail.com."

2. Use this email address when registering

GROUP SESSIONS

If your group plans to attend the virtual Google Meet together from the same room, each person will still need a Google Account they can access during the class in order to complete the exercises.

EDI FOR ARTS LEADERS

Instructor: Denise Yvette Serna

EDI (Equity Diversity Inclusion) for Arts Leaders takes a deeper dive into the concepts covered in EDI for Arts Participants.

This workshop gives arts leaders an understanding of how to effectively manage groups of people with different identities as they navigate creative workspaces. Arts leaders will gain an in-depth vocabulary of EDI, understand intersectional identities, social location in the arts, and explore how their organization can be a force for social change. Through an understanding of systemic racism, the course will cover access, privilege, prejudice and appropriation in the arts, and identify opportunities for growth through allyship, advocacy, and activism.

Arts leaders will leave equipped to engage with these issues individually, in conversation with their organization, and in conversation with the local/national arts and media industries.

Topics covered include:

• Holding Space

• Identity

• Anti-Bias Language

• Intersectionality

• Privilege, White Fragility, and Microaggressions

• The Mechanics of Oppression

• Systemic Racism

• Social Justice in the Arts

• Allies, Accomplices, and Advocacy

• Access, Privilege, Prejudice and Appropriation in the Arts

• Conflict Resolution and Reporting Procedures

EDI for Arts Leaders is ideal for board members, administrators, staff, and individuals in positions of leadership— but anyone interested in a comprehensive analysis of EDI is encouraged to attend. Participants who successfully complete EDI For Arts Leaders and Anti-Racism Action Planning will receive a certificate of completion.

—> This workshop can be offered privately to members of your org and adapted to fit your needs. For more info education@wssr.org.

6 Sessions: 18 hours total
Max Attendees: 18
Location: Google Meet
Standard: $275, Arts Org: $175, Open Registration: Free / Add A Donation
Note: 30-60 minutes of outside reading between sessions

ANTI-RACISM ACTION PLANNING FOR ARTS ORGS

Instructor: Denise Yvette Serna

Training participants and leaders in the concepts of Equity Diversity Inclusion (EDI) is a necessary first step in creating organizational change— but how can your org stay on track and ensure you are engaged with and meeting the needs of your community?

Anti-Racism Action Planning for Arts Orgs steps board members, committee members, administrators and/or key staff through a process that includes assessing where your org stands and what the needs of your community are. The workshop culminates in a written plan and public statement of accountability.

Since this work is ongoing, the workshop includes follow up sessions at 6 and 12 months.

Topics covered include:

• Organizational Assessment in terms of EDI

• Identifying Underrepresented Communities

• Reaching Out and Working With Those Communities

• Activating Affinity Spaces

• Developing Anti-Racism Goals

• Crafting a Public Anti-Racism Statement

• Ethical Acknowledgement of Native Lands

• Holding Your Org Accountable

Anti-Racism Action Planning for Arts Orgs is designed for organizations, and is open to Board Members, Committee Members, Administrators, and/or Key Staff who have completed EDI for Arts Leaders, or who demonstrate proficiency in the topics they cover. Participants who successfully complete EDI For Arts Leaders and Anti-Racism Action Planning will receive a certificate of completion.

—> This workshop can be offered privately to members of your org and adapted to fit your needs. For more info: education@wssr.org.

6 Sessions: 18 hours total
Max Attendees: 24
Location: Google Meet
Standard: $275, Arts Org: $175, Open Registration: Free / Add A Donation
Note: 30-60 minutes of outside reading between sessions

CANCELLATION POLICY

We understand that plans change and sometimes the dates you chose don’t work. We encourage you to reschedule to another open workshop if possible.

RESCHEDULING

You may reschedule at any time up to 7 days before the original registration start date.

IF YOU CANCEL

more than 14 days before the start date - full refund.

between 14 and 3 days before the start date - 50% refund.

less than 3 days before the start date - we cannot offer a refund.

If you registered under Free Registration, please let us know right away if you will not be able to attend so we may open your spot to another person.

IF WE CANCEL

If the workshop does not reach a minimum number of students, we may choose to cancel. In this case, you will have the option to reschedule to another open workshop, or receive a full refund.

Questions? —> education@wssr.org