Be a bridge

Use your social capital, those valuable connections you have with people in your region’s arts and culture landscape, to make new connections. These connections can build bridges to beneficial collaborations and leadership opportunities, such as committee appointments, boards, advisory councils, etc. Additionally, when the organization doesn’t demonstrate a genuine effort toward diversifying its board, advisory, or council; and/or when there isn’t a cultivation process similarly done with other members—it can be perceived as transactional and tokenistic. Consider a specific “onboarding” plan that builds in engaging supports or actions and creates a space for dynamic inclusion.