artEquity

With recent Executive Orders demanding the removal of “gender ideology” related promotion, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) followed the order and imposed a new requirement on their grant applications. The Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit led by the ACLU that challenges the recent grant requirements by the NEA. After the lawsuit was filed, the NEA responded with immediate relief. The work does not stop here. Swipe right to read up on TCG’s suggested next steps for artists and arts organizations. The plaintiffs will continue to legally challenge this limitation and seek further relief before the full grant application deadline, now updated to April 7, 2025. Read more about the case and the NEA’s response at TCG’s link in bio. Follow TCG and ACLU to stay updated as the case progresses. Image Description: First slide - Header text reads: “IMMEDIATE RELIEF: The National Endowment for the Arts Removes ‘Gender Ideology’ Requirement for March 11 Deadline. Sub header text reads: “MARCH 11: NEA APPLICATION PART 1 DEADLINE.” Body text reads: “The NEA removes certification that forces artists to attest that they will not promote “gender ideology” by this deadline...but has not removed its new eligibility criteria where any projects that appear to “promote gender ideology” will not receive an award.” A right-pointing arrow at the bottom of the image reads “swipe for next steps.” At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads: “For more info on the lawsuit: visit TCG.org.” Second slide - Header text reads: “NEXT STEPS FOR ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS Provided by the Theatre Communications Group.” The next steps are listed below: 1) SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION - if you are applying for NEA funding, TCG encourages you to move forward with Part I of your application by March 11; final applications are now due April 7, 2025; 2) DOCUMENT YOUR OBJECTION - If you are submitting before March 11, TCG recommends including an objection to the “gender ideology” certification in the Part I text box, in case the NEA later disputes when the change took effect; 3) STAY ENGAGED - A hearing is scheduled, and TCG will provide further updates following the government’s response; 4) AMPLIFY THE MESSAGE - Spread the word about this lawsuit and TCG’s support for equitable federal funding.

Ep.40: Carmen Morgan: Founder and Director of artEquity - “Without the arts, social justice work faces headwinds; with the arts, it gains momentum and creativity” of The StageLync Podcast is out! ?? Listen here: Podbean: https://buff.ly/P9bt2fo Apple Podcasts: https://buff.ly/OTOHGRx Spotify: https://buff.ly/vtuRmiv Podchaser: https://buff.ly/ayrNhrf Carmen Morgan is a national activist leading conversations at the forefront of the field on equity, inclusion, and racial justice issues. She is the founder and director of artEquity, a national organization that provides tools, resources, and training to support the intersections of art and activism. She has provided leadership development and organizational planning for staff, executives, and boards for over 100 non-profit organizations. She is the 2020 recipient of the Paul Robeson Award by Actors’ Equity Association and Actors’ Equity Foundation and a YBCA 100 honoree. She’s on faculty at Yale’s David Geffen School of Drama where she addresses issues of identity, equity, and inclusion in the arts. #StageLyncPodcast #CarmenMorgan #artEquity #EquityTraining #LeadershipDevelopment #ActivismThroughArt #TheaterCommunity #CreativeLeadership

As administrative powers push for the silencing of marginalized voices, we will double down on building our power through sustainable systems of self- and community-care. Our answer: Our FREE community offering, BIPOC Surviving Predominantly White Institutions, is back! Join us on May 9 for the first of five sessions—Naming Our Realities: Systems + Structures. Each session will cover different topics, and you are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions based on your own interests and availability.? This space is for individuals who identify as People of Color, BIPOC, AAPI, MENASA, ALAANA, SWANA, Black/African American, Indigenous/Native, Latinx/Latine, or People of the Global Majority. If you identify as white, we invite you to explore some of our other training opportunities. BIPOC Surviving PWIs is free, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to attend. Please register for the individual sessions you wish to join. For more information and to register for a session, CLICK LINK IN BIO. Image Description: First slide - A peach background with orange squiggle motifs frame the top-right and bottom-left corners of the image. The BIPOC Surviving PWI logo is centered, with text that reads: “REGISTER TODAY! A FREE five-part series for Black, Indigenous, People of Color who are either actively working, have worked, or considering working in a predominantly white institution (PWI).? May 9 + 16 + 23 + 30 + June 6, 2025 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. PT / 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. MT / 12 p.m.–2:30 p.m. CT / 1 p.m.–3:30 p.m. ET.“ Second slide - A peach background with orange squiggle motifs frame the top-right and bottom-left corners of the image. Text reads: “This five-part series is designed for:” and in bulleted points below read: “interfacing with white leadership; what to do when shit goes down; how to cultivate BIPOC solidarity; how to create a sustainable system of self-care; and how to know when it’s time to go and create an exit strategy.” Text below reads: “REGISTER TODAY! Attending all five sessions isn’t mandatory! You are welcome to attend any or all sessions based on your own interests and availability.”

LAST CALL TO REGISTER FOR EVERYDAY JUSTICE IN 2025! We welcome folks at any level of understanding—from those who feel new to the work to those who would like to revisit foundational antiracist and social justice concepts. Everyday Justice will only be offered once in 2025—so REGISTER TODAY at https://lnkd.in/ey4rP7an Image Description: The Everyday Justice logo is centered largely on top of an orange gradient background with a swoosh. Above the logo reads: “LAST CALL DON’T MISS THE ONLY EVERYDAY JUSTICE OFFERING IN 2025! REGISTRATIONS CLOSE MARCH 5” Below the logo reads “March 7 + 10 REGISTER TODAY!”

Rest IS resistance. artEquity will be closed Monday, February 24, through Friday, February 28, for our staff retreat. We will come together to renew our energies and recommit to continuing the strategic work of doubling down and pushing back. We will be back on Monday, March 3.

“So I don't think you have a choice, how can you be an artist and not reflect the times. That to me is the definition of an artist.”― Nina Simone Artists truly hold remarkable power for change, with a responsibility to not only reflect the current moment, but to envision the future. It’s artEquity’s 10th anniversary and We’re All In to support artists and creative changemakers transform our collective future through the arts. In the face of fear, we will be fearless. In the face of pushback, we will double down. In the face of crises, we will choose love and joy. In order to do this, we must be radically honest about what we’re up against. As our communities are being challenged by policies filled with buzzwords to incite confusion, let’s call it what it is: Anti-Black. Anti-trans. Anti-immigrant. Our February offering is abundant with updates, activist highlights, and resources for LA and our wider community. We invite you to read on and engage with our latest issue. Visit https://lnkd.in/eubRkHbd today! Image Description: A warm orange-yellow filter lies over an illustration of people marching in the streets; a person holds a sign that says: We Shall Over Come. Call It What It Is is in white font at top over the artEquity logo. February Offering, Issue 1 | 2025 is in smaller white font is at the bottom.

If there were ever a time to understand how power works, this would be it. Understanding strategies to equalize power is key to any antiracist practice. Everyday Justice offers a two-day community conversation to deepen our shared analysis and antiracism strategies. Join us! We welcome folks at any level of understanding—from those who feel new to the work to those who would like to revisit foundational antiracist and social justice concepts. Everyday Justice will only be offered once in 2025—so REGISTER TODAY at https://lnkd.in/ey4rP7an ?? Tag someone who may like to participate, or someone that you’d like to join you! Image Description: The Everyday Justice logo is centered largely on top of an orange gradient background with a swoosh. Above the logo reads: “If there were ever a time to understand how power works, THIS would be it. Understanding strategies to equalize power is KEY to any antiracist practice. Join us!” Below the logo reads “March 7 + 10 REGISTER TODAY!"

Our communities hold the power to transform our current climate into an equitable future. The important keys are analysis, strategy, and action. In Everyday Justice, we provide frameworks and a baseline analysis for antiracism strategies, and action. If you’re looking for some way to tap in, this is it.? We welcome folks at any level of understanding—from those who feel new to the work to those who would like to revisit foundational antiracist and social justice concepts. Everyday Justice will only be offered once in 2025—so REGISTER TODAY at https://lnkd.in/ey4rP7an ?? Tag someone who may like to participate, or someone that you’d like to join you! Image Description: The Everyday Justice logo is centered largely on top of an orange gradient background with a swoosh. Above the logo reads: “Looking for some way to tap in? There’s no better time than now.” Below the logo reads “March 7 + 10 REGISTER TODAY!”

Fear is being used against our communities, but, as Audre Lorde stated: “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” Join us in a community conversation that is pressing, timely, and relevant for this moment. If there ever were a time to have a strong power analysis—it would be now. We welcome folks at any level of understanding—from those who feel new to the work to those who would like to revisit foundational antiracist and social justice concepts. Everyday Justice will only be offered once in 2025—so REGISTER TODAY at https://lnkd.in/ey4rP7an ?? Tag someone who may like to participate, or someone that you’d like to join you! Image Description: The Everyday Justice logo is centered largely on top of an orange gradient background with a swoosh. Below the logo reads “March 7 + 10 REGISTER TODAY!”