As an arts organization, we are listening intently to the call from marginalized and underrepresented communities to do better — to not only create more opportunities to address years of inequity in our practice, but also make our office, rehearsal rooms, and performance spaces welcoming and inclusive for everyone. We recognize that there is much work to be done, and the development of this framework is just the beginning.
We’re currently in the early stages of examining our own responsibility and learning better practices. It is an ongoing process as we dig deeper into exploring concepts of decolonization and anti-oppression. Below is a work-in-progress framework for inclusive practices which we will use to move forward to ensure equitable engagement with artists, audience members, staff, and the community.
This is a living document that we intend to review, revise, and improve at least on an annual basis based on conversations had, feedback received, and on our own reflections of our actions.
If you would like to speak with us or offer your thoughts, please email [email protected].
Intention Statement
Touchstone Theatre is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, and equitable work environment where all staff, artists, volunteers, and audience members are valued and respected.
We are committed to removing barriers to opportunities and advancement at Touchstone Theatre faced by underrepresented members of our community, including but not limited to individuals who are or identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, d/Deaf, low vision, or disabled.
Recognizing that equity and inclusion practices require ongoing listening, learning, reflecting, development, and work, we will:
- Acknowledge that inequities exist within our policies, systems, programs, and services, and will work to improve them.
- Question assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness.
- Provide training to our board, staff, contractors, and others working for Touchstone to better understand systemic inequities and their impact on individuals and our organization.
- Invest finances and resources to expand diversity within our board, staff, and production personnel.
Ongoing Commitments
Touchstone will:
- Provide updates on our website on our organization’s progress and plans related to this framework.
- Make space for cultural protocols and access needs by partnering with other organizations.
- Program at least one mainstage production or development workshop per season that is led by underrepresented artists (eg. playwright and director)
- Hire cultural advisors in addition to the artistic team when specific cultural knowledge is required.
- Work with d/Deaf and low vision communities to assess and ensure inclusive practices for productions.
- Ensure rehearsal, performance, and convening spaces used by Touchstone are wheelchair accessible.
- Ensure accessibility information is included in marketing and promotion of public events.
- Review and update this and other policies related to inclusion and safety as new information, knowledge, and experiences emerge.
Time-Specific Actions
- By July 2021 – Develop guidelines which reduce barriers and the effects of unconscious bias when recruiting. This may include staff, contractors, artists, board members, volunteers, etc. | IN PROGRESS
- By November 2021 – Develop and share a land acknowledgement that articulates Touchstone Theatre’s particular history and relationship to the unceded territory we work on and what are doing to repair that relationship.
- By August 2021 – Develop and publicly post a values statement which includes equity, diversity, and inclusion. | COMPLETED
- By November 2021 – Recruit two new board members from underrepresented communities for the 2021 AGM. | COMPLETED
