AToolkit for Mississippi's Arts Organizations - Mississippi Arts ...

MAC defines diversity in arts organizations as:­ Presenting performances, exhibitions, arts education programs, or other servicesto the public as its primary function with a desire to reach all segments of thepopulation.­ Creating programs that are inclusive by involving the community in planning,implementation and evaluation of its programs.­ Involving planners and participants that reflect the community’s demographics.­ Providing access to the arts for the state’s residents with emphasis onmaintaining and expanding programs and services.­ Finding board members who reflect the community and contribute to theorganization.Anecdotal Information:­ Theatre groups such as the Natchez Little Theatre and Theatre Plus in PortGibson, as well as others around the state are implementing “color blind” castingpractices (casting a role without considering the actor’s ethnicity.)­ Choirs and choral groups are singing ‘hallelujah’ as we listen to their harmoniesand see faces that represent the people living in their communities.· The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mississippi Museum of Art, Ohr O’KeefeMuseum of Art, Meridian Museum of Art, Walter Anderson Museum of Art andothers are offering diverse programming that encourages the community to getinvolved because of the intentional variety of programming­ Museums are employing senior citizens and persons living with disabilities aspart­time and full­time employees and job duties have been adapted toaccommodate their needs.­ Symphony orchestras collaborate with schools for student centeredperformances.­ Arts organizations offer reduced price tickets to specific groups as part of theiroutreach.­ Statistics gathered in a 2010 study conducted by MAC shows that organizationsfunded by MAC who have spent at least 3­5 years working on diversity haveachieved a measure of success: