MARN’s Commitment to Equity
What Drives Us
The Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN) believes in the power of the arts to transform lives and enrich communities. In support of this belief, MARN is committed to being an equitable and inclusive resource to the Greater Milwaukee Area creative community. MARN honors and celebrates the differences that make up our dynamic city and how those differences contribute to a diverse and unique arts culture in Milwaukee. MARN also acknowledges how those differences come with a legacy of privilege, segregation, exclusion, and discrimination which takes deep intention to address in our commitment to equity. Guided by community feedback and prioritizing accessibility, MARN is invested in ethical progress and cyclical self-evaluation towards this commitment across all aspects of our vision, mission, and values.
To learn more about MARN’s commitment to equity, continue reading below for MARN’s Land Acknowledgement, Anti-Racism Commitment, and Anti-Discrimination Policy.
MARN’s Land Acknowledgement
Where We Live
The Milwaukee Artist Resource Network believes it is vital to acknowledge the histories and contemporary lives of the Indigenous peoples here in Milwaukee, the Greater Milwaukee area, and Wisconsin. The past and present colonization of this land continues to impact contemporary native communities and narrates an incomplete cultural understanding of the region. MARN is currently consulting with local Indigenous artists and community leaders on developing this acknowledgement into an action plan that ensures our equity practices comprehensively include Indigenous artists.
MARN acknowledges that in Milwaukee, we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.
To learn more about the importance of Land Acknowledgements and how to take action, visit The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture.
MARN’s Anti-Racism Commitment
What We Believe
The Milwaukee Artist Resource Network believes that Black Lives Matter and we stand in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, and POC communities, and all those fighting for racial justice. MARN denounces white supremacy and does not tolerate racism at any level of our organization.
The culture of systemic racism and oppression of people of color has clearly permeated most institutions, boardrooms and City Halls across our nation, and has done so for generations. MARN acknowledges our position of privilege as an organization and believes that it is important for us to listen and reflect on the feedback from our BIPOC community members as we grow and transform.
MARN understands that we must put our words into action and create a sustainable and equitable way of being. We are continuing to expand measures that bring a more diverse and inclusive culture to all levels of our organization. Specifically, all internal operations are being continuously audited for equity and anti-racism procedures and policies. MARN’s organizational culture is prioritizing communal and self-education goals to maintain awareness and understanding of personal and social bias in our decision-making. Furthermore, MARN encourages individuals from within our BIPOC communities to join us in leadership and advisory roles as we continue to grow and create more relevant infrastructure for, and by, BIPOC artists. In support of these goals, MARN is invested in equitable recruitment standards for staff, board, and committee members.
MARN’s Anti-Discrimination Policy
How We Include All
The Milwaukee Artist Resource Network believes in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment across our organization and collaborative initiatives. In our hiring processes, work environment, public events, and community relationships, we welcome and honor differences and do not tolerate discrimination. In addition to this belief in our organizational culture, we maintain adherence to Wisconsin Fair Employment Law.
The Milwaukee Artist Resource Network is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
