The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) task force is a new group of Arvada Center employees who are collaborating to find ways to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and access in our organization. We’re considering these things internally (in our hiring and day-to-day work lives) as well as externally (in the programming we’re putting on, the stories we’re telling, and who our visitors are).
We recognize that having a diverse and equitable work environment is not only critical to changing for the better, it also fuels collaboration, innovation and creativity. We also recognize that, historically, the Center has not always lived up to these ideals.
During this time when listening is key to increasing inclusion, President and CEO Philip Sneed and the Arvada Center leadership would like to hear from you.
If you have comments, concerns, or ideas about how the Arvada Center can learn and become more inclusive, we welcome your feedback at idea@arvadacenter.org
Adam Stolte, Production Manager
Elizabeth Jamison, Audio Engineer
Kim Loiselle, Human Resources Coordinator
Leslie Simon, Content and Grant Writer
Lynne Collins, Artistic Director of Plays
Marcus Turner, Director of Communications
Michelle Peterson, Volunteer Services and Accessibility Manager
Philip Sneed, President and CEO
Sarah Kolb, Digital Communications Specialist
Teresa Cirrincione, Assistant Education Director
Teresa YoKell, Vice President of Advancement
The Arvada Center acknowledges that our facilities stand atop ancestral lands that include the Tsétsėhéstaestse (Cheyenne), the Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho), Nuche (Ute), and Oceti Sakowin (Lakota) nations. We offer respect to people of these nations—past, present and future. As we strengthen our resolve to honor their legacies we ask that you do so as well by giving pause to acknowledge the history of deceit, wrongdoing and Western settlement on their lands as well as the beauty of their languages, knowledge and strengths that informs our human experience today.
The Arvada Center strives to make the arts accessible to all people. As part of that effort, we produce theatrical performances for people with specific needs. For more information or to request an accessible performance please call the box office at 720-898-7200.
Read more about the kinds of accessibility options we offer for our live theatre productions.
Questions or suggestions? Contact Volunteer and Accessibility Manager Michelle Peterson, mpeterson@arvadacenter.org.
This is a moment.
In this moment, our hearts break for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others.
In this moment, we reflect and ask: can we call ourselves inclusive if we remain silent about the heinous injustices taking place in front of our very eyes?
The answer resounds clearly. We take this moment to declare our truth as an organization and to raise our voices against racism and white supremacy.
This is a moment of truth. We see you. We stand with you.
The Arvada Center's mission is to celebrate and elevate the human condition and to expand the cultural landscape for everyone who visits us. We believe art has the power to remind us of our common humanity, to create empathy for those different from us and find connection in the things we share. With that in mind, we hold ourselves accountable to do better, and ask our community to do the same.
We acknowledge our own responsibility and culpability within a society that is inherently inequitable, and how we ourselves have contributed to this inequity. We know that actions are more meaningful than statements.
“Amplify” gives voice to Black creatives through music, performance, dance and spoken word. Produced and curated by Betty Hart, this series invites Black creatives in our community to share work and their words capturing how they feel in this moment - their hopes, fears, anger and joy.
Watch the most recent episode of "Amplify" here:
We're proud to collaborate with numerous groups and organizations in our community, including: