Equity in the Arts

We are working together to continue fostering inclusive curricula, public programming, and workplace cultures that recognize and value diversity as a cornerstone of the arts, creativity, and innovation.

This is not the effort of one office or individual, but rather a collective endeavor to manifest inclusive excellence. Together we can ensure excellence in the arts is inclusive and reflective of the University of Arizona’s mission and values.

Throughout the spring 2024 semester, all members of Arizona Arts’ academic, presenting, and administrative units are invited to participate in structured conversations about the survey results called Data Dialogues 2.0. Faculty, staff, and students provided feedback as a basis for the next step, a collaborative visioning and action planning process.

This process will be facilitated by unit leaders, including unit directors and diversity and inclusion committee co-chairs, with resources and coordination provided by the associate vice president for equity in the arts.

These activities culminate in Arizona Arts’ first EDI Roadmap.

Survey Goals

Arizona Arts community members created the survey collaboratively. It provides us with baseline data to inform our efforts to foster an equitable, diverse, and inclusive arts environment and measure our progress in the years ahead. As a catalyst for reflection and discussion, the survey contributes to implementation of programs, policies, and activities that promote inclusive excellence.

Survey Results

More than 650 students, faculty, and staff at Arizona Arts participated in the survey for a response rate of 27%. Overall, the ICS results showed that Arizona Arts has a generally favorable climate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. At the same time, in some cases survey respondents from historically minoritized groups reported less positive experiences than their peers. The survey shows overwhelming support for improvement around the shared values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, including respondents’ ideas for different ways to enhance curriculum, expand public impacts, reduce barriers experienced by people with disability, and more.