Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access
Anti-Racism Action Statement
Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Statement
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities condemns racism and all forms of systemic oppression against marginalized communities. We maintain a commitment to build an inclusive culture that reflects a diverse community, as well as our core values as an organization: to treat all people fairly, with dignity, and to celebrate and elevate the human experience.
In the spirit of specificity and authenticity, we acknowledge that the following marginalized communities require focus in our consciousness. This list comprises communities that historically and contemporaneously experience discrimation; however we also recognize that other marginalized groups exist in our community and deserve our focus, attention, and consideration.
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)
- Latinx communities
- AAPI (Asian American, Pacific Islander)
- LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual, Two Spirit, Plus)
- People with disabilities
- Neurodivergent communities
- Marginalized religious groups
- Women
Equity Action Statement
The Arvada Center is dedicated to broadening the diversity of our programming and audiences, fostering meaningful relationships with our internal and external communities, and building a sense of belonging for all who visit us, work with us, and exist in community with us. We are committed to upholding intersectional and anti-racist principles and holding ourselves and our organization accountable by proactively ensuring that inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility are not just ideals we believe in but integral considerations to every department, program area, and decision at the Center.
We welcome you to learn more, share feedback, and provide accountability by contacting us at idea@arvadacenter.org.
Additional IDEA Initiatives
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.
Questions or suggestions? Contact Patron Experience and Volunteer Manager Alex Reinhardt, areinhardt@arvadacenter.org.
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. These include events with audio description, ASL Interpretation, Sensory Friendly performances and more.
The Employee IDEA Committee at the Arvada Center was formed in the fall of 2020 to catalyze and take collective action in the areas of inclusion, diversity, equity and access. Made up of employees from across all divisions of the organization, this task force has set forth goals and objectives in broad focus areas to expand the cultural landscape for everyone.
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
IDEA Committee Co-Chairs
Molly Berger, School & Community Programs Manager
Sarah Kolb, Director of Marketing & Communications
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.
We're proud to collaborate with numerous groups and organizations in our community, including:
- African Leadership Group
- Chabad of Northwest Metro Denver
- Colorado Department of Health and Human Services
- Colorado Health Foundation
- Colorado Gives Foundation
- Community Table of Arvada
- Denver American Indian Festival
- Foothills Regional Housing
- Global Inclusive Leadership Training program
- Guide Dogs for the Bling
- Inclusive Guide
- Jefferson County Public Libraries
- Jeffrey Bigger & ASL interpreting
- Kwanzaa Committee of Colorado
- The Matthew Shepard Foundation
- Native American Bank
- ReciteME Accessibility Toolbar
- Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce
In an effort to create safer and more equitable theatre practices, the Arvada Center has eliminated "10 out of 12" rehearsals in both musical theatre and plays. The phrase "10 out of 12" refers to a past mandate from Actor's Equity Association that for technical rehearsals, actors that are called for a 12 hour workday may only work 10 hours of that day.
We are proud to join the ranks of other theatre organizations across the country in eliminating this practice.
To learn more about this effort, please visit https://nomore10outof12s.com/.
