A statement on our opportunity and responsibility

Proctors looks thoughtfully at our people and processes as we strive to be a better leader in our community. This statement is the first public step in that process.

As a cultural institution, we have the opportunity and responsibility to be a voice for racial justice both within our operations and within the larger Capital Region community. Proctors Collaborative, the Collaborative School of the Arts, and its affiliates, Universal Preservation Hall and Capital Repertory Theatre commit to being part of anti-racist efforts to end discrimination; it is a core value of our organization.

We pledge to fight institutional racism and to commit to practices within our organization to fulfill that pledge.

We pledge to pursue our mission for excellence in education, sustainable economic development, and rich civic dialogue by a continuous program opening opportunities for our black, brown and LGBTQIA+ neighbors and friends and others of marginalized experiences. We understand that without social justice, our communities are weaker and therefore, so are we.

We pledge to have comfortable and safe facilities for all our neighbors, used for the many purposes that we encourage. We will not tolerate any actions, words, or aggressions, whether intentional or unintentional, to the contrary.

We pledge to engage artists of diverse backgrounds and identities in our programs musical, visual, dance, theatrical, and educational.

We pledge to present and produce relevant events that broadly and fully engage the Black experience.

We will undertake a robust effort to align our policies, practices, and behaviors with the values of our organization and our community. In addition, we will redouble our efforts working with diversity consultants to: continuously train volunteers, board members, and staff in diversity and inclusion; and to recruit more diversity in our staff.

We commit to engaging leadership at every level of our organization to establish clear and concrete steps for success in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This is a long process to serve our community as a place of equity, safety, and justice – a process to which we are committed. We ask for the ongoing support of our community as we take these steps.