The Wichita Symphony celebrates the identity and uniqueness of each of our stakeholders, and we are committed to integrating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access “IDEA” in the way we operate, attract patronage, showcase artists, and invite members of our community to come together to enjoy rich and vibrant symphonic music. The definition of our IDEA acronym below further describes how we will engage with our community and ensure that each of our unique stakeholders feels a sense of belonging, thereby supporting program relevance, increasing audience engagement, and achieving sustainable growth.
Our goal is to foster an environment where the IDEA acronym principles guide daily interactions and drive decisions throughout the organization. It’s vital that all stakeholders – staff, board members, musicians, and the surrounding community – are invited to participate in decision-making to allow for the IDEA principles to flourish.
Approved by the Wichita Symphony Board of Directors on December 4, 2024.
INCLUSION: Inclusion refers to the notion of belonging, feeling welcomed and valued, and having a sense of community. It also speaks to a capacity to engage and succeed in a given institution, program, or setting. Our desire is for our community to always feel included. We welcome everyone to attend our concerts and events and encourage families from all walks of life to participate in the Youth Orchestras Program and Young People’s Concerts.
Pictured: Children ages 4-8 have a chance to interact with percussion instruments following "Welcome to the Wichita Symphony" at Rockwell Public Library.
DIVERSITY: Diversity describes the appreciation and respect of differences present among any collection of people, such as but not limited to race, social class, gender identity, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, religion, background and experiences. It is our desire that people of all backgrounds will feel invited and welcomed in our organization.
Pictured: Pianist Joyce Yang and Guest Conductor Laura Jackson in concert with the Wichita Symphony, November 2024.
EQUITY: Equity complements the notion of equality through fairness in treatment and opportunity. The pursuit of equity often requires attending to unique needs to achieve a level playing field for participating individuals and communities. Our commitment is to be understanding of those diverse needs while exercising good judgment in its process.
Pictured: Andy Slater, member of the Wichita Symphony percussion section, at Symphony on the Grand Lawn.
ACCESS: Access refers to recognizing and addressing barriers to opportunities that our community experiences. It is our desire to remove barriers, both real and perceived, so that as many people as possible will be able to participate in and enjoy our concerts and other program activities.
Pictured: Wichita Symphony Brass Quintet in concert at Naftzger Park, part of a free community concert series Playing Across the Parks in partnership with Wichita Park and Recreation.
As we embark on the journey to build a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible future for the Wichita Symphony, it is helpful to reflect on the broader historical and social context in which we operate. In the American arts landscape, classical music is often perceived as having more barriers to participation than other art forms. These barriers—whether rooted in tradition, accessibility, or representation—have limited our ability to fully engage our community.
The IDEA Statement serves as our commitment to addressing these perceptions and realities. We strive to overcome these hurdles and make the Wichita Symphony accessible to everyone. We proudly acknowledge Wichita's long-standing dedication to inclusivity, beginning with the brave actions of the ten Black students who initiated the Dockum Drug Store sit-ins in 1958 and continuing with the ongoing efforts to promote racial and social equality. We are inspired by these trailblazers and acknowledge that while much progress has been made, our organization has the power to further connect and unite our community through music.
As we honor our past, it is equally important to celebrate and appreciate the indigenous groups who were the original inhabitants of this land, especially the Wichita people. Our community and organization proudly bear their name, a testament to the profound significance of their presence and contributions. We are deeply grateful for the rich cultural legacies they have bestowed upon our region, and we enthusiastically embrace the significance of celebrating their heritage.
The IDEA Statement was developed with our community in mind and with our organization’s mission at its core. Our intent is to engage and serve a larger audience, ensuring members of our community feel invited and welcomed as concertgoers, orchestral and choral musicians, volunteers, supporters, board members, staff, vendors, and partners. We recognize that this work can be challenging and uncomfortable, but by moving forward with empathy, compassion, and respect, we can create musical experiences where all individuals feel valued and welcome. By addressing the unique challenges that classical music faces in engaging diverse audiences, we aspire to break down any barriers—real or perceived—that may have prevented full participation in our organization. In doing so, we will ensure that the Wichita Symphony Orchestra stays relevant and sustainable for generations to come.
Stay tuned as we embark on this journey; we'll use this space to update you on our progress.
|
Please upgrade
Internet Explorer
|
or try one of these other browsers.
Browsers are free and easy to install.
|
||||
| Upgrade Internet Explorer | What's a browser? Opt out |
