EDIB Learning Opportunities Tailored to the Unique World of Orchestras
Orchestrate Inclusion has heard repeatedly from orchestra stakeholders that they wish for additional opportunities to learn about EDIB topics, specifically in a way that speaks to the culture and working world of orchestras. As a response to this need, Orchestrate Inclusion has designed a set of learning workshops with a specific view to the daily experience of orchestra stakeholders- Staff Members, Orchestra (and Chorus) Musicians and Board Members. Workshops offer virtual, facilitated learning environments, allowing internal stakeholders to begin to examine EDIB concepts and develop shared understanding of such concepts. All workshops have been designed to allow participants to apply learnings toward immediate practice at their orchestras.
Organizations must understand what they wish to do differently and why they wish to do so in order to activate meaningful, lasting change around EDIB. Despite its challenges, COVID-19 created a unique opportunity for orchestras to bring their internal stakeholders together via Zoom to learn and engage with each other, building greater power to activate change on an organizational level. All workshops can be offered virtually and the formality or informality of the learning and development sessions can be modified to best meet the processing needs of client stakeholders.
Workshops are intended to be the starting place for deeper learning and work, specifically, as a first step in ongoing learning around the topics of anti-oppression, racial equity and anti-racism.
The following summary offers descriptions of workshops offered by Orchestrate Inclusion. Each workshop is a work in development and content is subject to change. If/as it proves to be helpful, a workshop can be modified to focus on one or more key areas of exploration and/or one or more types of internal stakeholders, based on client need. Do you have a specific need? Please ask!
Workshop A: Principles of EDIB Work in Orchestra Settings
Workshop length: Two sequential sessions, each is 2.5 hours; sessions should be scheduled with no more than one to three weeks between them
Format: via Zoom
These two, sequential workshops focus on developing internal competency and conversation around EDI topics that serve as the basic building blocks of more advanced EDI discussion and work.
Concepts Introduced and Explored:
The context of EDIB at orchestras
Diversity
Inclusion
Equity
Identity (race vs. ethnicity; intersectionality)
Dominant and Subordinated Group Dynamics
Power
Privilege/Advantage
Oppression
Workshop Objectives:
Create early, facilitated presentational and conversational space for EDIB topics to be explored
Participants will build a common, baseline understanding of EDIB terminology
Participants will build personal and professional connection to EDIB topics
Participants will build increased internal competency for work with external contacts/partners
Participants will begin to establish a shared EDIB lens for current and future consideration of internal systems and practices
Build dedicated “practice space” for empathy-based thinking and action through a EDIB lens
Workshop B: Understanding White Supremacy and Becoming an Antiracist Orchestra
Workshop length: 2.5 hours
Format: Via Zoom
Building upon concepts and learnings from the Principles of EDIB Work in Orchestra Settings workshop, this learning session will provide an introduction to the concept and action of racism and specifically, white supremacy. White supremacy is a pivotal concept in antiracism, yet many white people are unsure and/or afraid of its meaning and application to their own lives. This workshop will offer participants an opportunity to explore the concept in their own lived experience and that of their organization, laying the groundwork to begin to interrupt and change practices that perpetuate racism in orchestras.
In order to fully prepare the learning experience of this workshop, organizations will be asked to complete Workshop A: Principles of EDIB Work in Orchestra Settings, as a prerequisite.
Concepts Introduced and Explored:
Racism and the Levels of Racism
White Supremacy Culture
Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (via Peggy McIntosh)
Traits of White Supremacy Culture in Organizations (via Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun)
Pyramid of White Supremacy (via Ellen Tuzzolo and Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence)
Continuum on Becoming a Fully Inclusive Arts and Culture Organization (via the REAL Forum)
Workshop Objectives:
Participants will learn and internalize the definition of white supremacy
Participants will be able to describe and apply levels of racism to their organization
Participants who identify as white will be able to recognize elements of advantage they experience due to their whiteness
Participants will be able to notice, name and interrupt elements of whiteness within the culture of their orchestra
Participants will identify their organization’s place on a continuum of anti-racism
Facilitated conversational space will be created
Workshop C: Understanding, Identifying and Interrupting Microaggressions in Orchestra Settings
Workshop length: 2.5 hours
Format: via Zoom
Building upon concepts and learnings from the Principles of EDIB Work in Orchestra Settings workshop, this workshop will define microaggressions, offer examples of how they can appear in orchestra environments and beyond and build consideration of their effect on individuals of oppressed identities. Participants will explore and internalize the practice of identifying, interrupting and responding to microaggressions. The workshop will include time for participants to engage in guided role play with each other, offering hands-on practice of in identifying and responding to microaggressions as a person who is affected or observing.
In order to fully prepare the learning experience of this workshop, organizations will be asked to complete Workshop A: Principles of EDIB Work in Orchestra Settings, as a prerequisite.
Concepts Introduced and Explored:
Microaggressions
Cumulative Impact
Bystander Intervention
Interruption Strategies: “Interrupt, Question, Educate”
Workshop Objectives:
Participants will learn to define and identify microaggressions
Participants will build their understanding of the impact of microaggressions, especially on individuals who represent oppressed identities
Participants will learn the strategy of “Interrupt, Question, Educate” in response to microaggressions
Participants will practice response to microaggressions in a facilitated role play setting, building their comfort with the act of interruption
Facilitated conversational space will be created
Additional Workshops in Development (please ask if you have interest!):
Identifying, Understanding and Managing Implicit Bias in Orchestra Settings
Identifying and Activating Levers for EDIB Change at Orchestras
Practicing Interruption of Racism and Microaggressions in Orchestra Settings (a workshop focused specifically on advanced role play focused on responding to microaggressions, Workshops A and C required as prerequsites)
Executive Team Learning (for small groups of either cross-functional executive leaders such as Executive Director/Board Chair/Orchestra Committee Chair OR for senior level staff teams of up to approx. ten people)
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many people can attend a workshop?
While attendance can be unlimited, the consultant would recommend capping attendance for each session if a client wishes to create additional space for facilitated conversation and questions over Zoom and/or offering externally facilitated follow-up sessions specifically for questions and conversation. I encourage organizations to invite internal stakeholders across functional areas- staff, musicians and board- to attend the workshop(s) and learn together. This type of invitation models equity, allows stakeholders to build cross-functional investment in EDIB and begins to build valuable dialogue and connection across the organization.
May we record the workshop?
Sessions are not recorded with the intent of honoring the unique conversation and participation of each session and keeping fees as low as possible.
Will we receive notes from the workshop?
A copy of the slides from each session presentation will be shared with the client following the workshop. Slides are intended for internal use, only.
What is the cost?
Every orchestra is different. It is important to Orchestrate Inclusion that the unique needs of your orchestra are met in all services provided. This includes matching your current discussion around EDIB to an appropriate learning experience, customizing the details of that experience and honoring the financial situation of your orchestra. Please contact me (jessica@orchestrateinclusion.com) to set up a free, 30 minute call to discuss your needs and allow me to recommend a course of action for learning based on your needs. I will then be able to provide an initial quote to you for workshop cost. Please note that I am intent on ensuring that organizational budget and/or other financial restrictions do not keep an orchestra and its internal stakeholders from beginning the long-term work of learning.
What happens after the workshop?
EDIB work is a marathon vs. a sprint. Your organization will get out of it what you invest in it. I hope that the workshop experience is a start to your orchestra’s longer term EDIB investment and effort and I would be happy to speak with you about how I might be able to serve as a guide and partner in that process.