Region 2 Arts Council Blog
Equity Audit with Aamera and Suzy
Region 2 Arts is going to be undergoing an Equity Audit this coming week. Below will list the events taking place next week with our equity consultants, Aamera and Suzy!
Tuesday June 25th: Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Council focus group meetings and social hour
Location: Historic Carnegie Library 426 Bemidji Ave North, Bemidji MN 56601
5pm: Social Hour with Aamera and Suzy, AAI Council, and R2 Staff.
6pm-8pm: Former and current AAI Council members conversation with Aamera and Suzy.
Wednesday June 26th:
Locations: Historic Carnegie Library 426 Bemidji Ave North, Bemidji MN 56601 and Region 2 Arts Council Office, 505 Bemidji Ave North, Bemidji MN 56601
12pm-1pm: Aamera with Former Staff in the R2AC Office. Former staff will meet with Aamera and discuss their experiences. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
12pm-1pm: Suzy with Former Board Members in the Carnegie. Former board members will meet with Suzy and discuss their experiences.
1:30pm-2:30pm: Aamera and Suzy with Grantees & Grant Panelists in the Carnegie. Grant Panelists & Grantees will meet with Aamera and Suzy and discuss their experiences.
4pm-5pm: Social Hour for board members and anyone else who wants to attend from previous groups in the Historic Carnegie.
5pm-7pm: Suzy and Aamera will meet with Current Board members in the Historic Carnegie. Board members will meet with Suzy and Aamera and discuss their experiences.
This equity audit is facilitated by consultants Aamera Siddiqui and Suzy Messerole, coming from St. Paul, MN. Aamera and Suzy are a part of Exposed Brick Theater in St. Paul. Outside of the theater, Aamera and Suzy are consultants who focus on organizational assessments to customize training and development. They gauge the growth, effectiveness and impact of organizational efforts towards equity, focusing the analysis and progress on four main areas: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Aamera and Suzy assist the Regional Arts Council system to identify areas of growth, find gaps and opportunities, and provide recommendations for continued growth and advancement towards equitable grant-making.
Join our Board!
WHAT DO WE DO?
Region 2 Arts Council fuels creative projects, celebrates artistic expression, opens doors, sparks ideas, reinforces existing networks, and offers new connections.
HOW DO WE APPROACH OUR WORK?
Our values of respect and responsiveness guide our decision-making; inclusivity and equity lead our efforts to make space for all; and curiosity ignites our imagination as we listen and learn from artists and the arts around us.
SERVING ON OUR BOARD
• Come curious and ready to engage openly, and embody our values
• Attend 2-3 hour monthly Board business meetings in person or via Zoom
• Promote healthy governance by asking questions and posing solutions
• Support advancement of R2AC’s equity, diversity, and inclusivity practices, policies, and initiatives
• Support the general improvement and alignment of R2AC practices and policies with
statewide mandates, needs in our region, and our values
• Ensure fiscal responsibility by gaining awareness and understanding of R2AC’s budget
• Participate on board committees
• Participate on grant review panels
• Be a site-evaluator for granted arts projects and programs
• Help staff spread the word about R2AC services and grants
• Attend arts events in your county and your community