Towards Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

17 Nov 2021

We are delighted to introduce our new policy, Towards Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

We have been working on this policy alongside a new 5-year strategic plan and the commitments in this new policy will be threaded through all aspects of the new strategy.

We are cognisant of the discrimination often experienced by artists, audiences and arts workers in terms of age, civil status, disability, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background.

We are also aware that we have much work to do in our organisation to ensure it becomes truly reflective of contemporary Ireland.

We believe in the value of an equitable, diverse and inclusive artistic and social space, which buzzes with ideas and experimentation. A space that connects people in creative processes that engage with the messiness of lived experiences, and question the status quo.

We want to be a vibrant, welcoming hub that connects a broad diversity of artists, audiences and local communities, promoting exchange, experimentation and collaboration, and, of course, the presentation of extraordinary work that inspires and provokes.

Towards Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is largely shaped by a series of recommendations made by an Advisory Panel, established in March 2021. From the outset, the Panel members were asked to give particular consideration to four priority areas and to facilitate focus group discussions in these areas. Our priority areas are: Sexuality and Gender Diversity; Disability; Socio-Economic Background; and Cultural Diversity.

Towards Equality, Diversity and Inclusion confirms Project’s commitment to becoming a more equitable, diverse and inclusive space (both physically and conceptually), with an increasingly transparent structure and a wider breadth of partnerships and connections.

The policy is not an end in itself; rather it is a fresh commitment to an important piece of work ahead. We hope the policy will act as a resource for other arts organisations, along with the insights contained in the Advisory Panel Recommendations, which are also available on our website. In order to ensure the effective implementation of the policy, we have developed clear plans for monitoring and evaluating progress over the life of our new strategy.

You can access the policy below.