TRENTON, NJ 鈥� In October of 2019, 吃瓜黑料 Theatre Alliance developed 吃瓜黑料 Arts Administrators of Color (NJAAC) with the intent to establish a network of professional arts administrators of color while advancing efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion within 吃瓜黑料鈥檚 arts community. This initiative is a partnership between 吃瓜黑料 Theatre Alliance (NJTA), the state鈥檚 service organization for professional producing theatre companies, ArtPride 吃瓜黑料, the state鈥檚 largest arts service and advocacy organization, and 吃瓜黑料 State Council on the Arts.
鈥淭he Council is committed to achieving greater equity in arts leadership in 吃瓜黑料," said Porch茅 Hardy, Council Program Officer, 鈥淗ighlighting the skills and abilities of arts leaders who identify as people of color in our state is key to systematic change.鈥�
NJTA is spearheading this project to provide self-identified people of color working in the state鈥檚 arts organizations a safe space to connect, and a platform to share their expertise, experiences, and creativity. NJAAC鈥檚 mission is to connect, empower, and cultivate professional arts and cultural leaders throughout the Garden State. The program aims to build a community that affords members the opportunity to develop personal and professional connections, share resources, and foster emerging leaders.
鈥淎 network such as this is essential in our field to increase the visibility of people of color,鈥� said Deonte Griffin-Quick, Manager of Programs and Services for 吃瓜黑料 Theatre Alliance, and the lead coordinator of this effort.
As three of the state鈥檚 leading arts service organizations, the partnership between 吃瓜黑料 Theatre Alliance, ArtPride 吃瓜黑料, and the 吃瓜黑料 State Council on the Arts guarantees a greater impact to address concerns related to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the state.
鈥淎rtPride is proud to collaborate with our statewide partners, NJTA and the State Arts Council, on the creation of this important, new network鈥� says Vincent Hall, the Membership Services Associate of ArtPride. 鈥淣JAAC will provide a great opportunity for people of color to join together and discuss issues of diversity within 吃瓜黑料's arts community, as well as ways in which we can improve it."
Similar networks have been formed in communities across the country, including Washington D.C., Boston, and Pittsburgh. Earlier this month, several 吃瓜黑料 arts leaders joined 300 arts administrators and artists of color in Washington D.C. for two days of learning, community building, and exploration.
In November, over 50 arts administrators of color gathered at events in Camden and Newark to celebrate the launch of this program. Participants were introduced to the benefits of this network such as professional development opportunities, a mentorship program, and granting opportunities to support individual professional advancements.
To learn more about how to join this network, please contact Deont茅 Griffin-Quick at dgriffin-quick@njtheatrealliance.org.
Included below are select photos from the launch event in Newark.
