Community Accountability & Agreements

Regardless of the type of space – in-person or virtual – when we gather in community questions of accountability or conflict can sometimes arise in our discussions and reflections of society, civic spaces, and the philanthropic field. Below we offer agreements to hold and uphold as we show up throughout the GIA Annual Conference to support community equity and wellbeing.

GIA is committed to addressing structural inequities and increasing philanthropic and government support for African, Latine, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA) artists and arts organizations. Our organization and our members do not tolerate racism, harassment, ageism, homophobia, sexism, transphobia, ableism, or prejudice based on ethnicity, nationality, class, gender, gender presentation, language ability, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, body size, age, religion, color, ethnicity language, asylum status, or religious affiliation.

  • Be respectful to other attendees and presenters

  • Respect gender identities and identity parameters of groups or sessions when noted

  • Acknowledge intent and attend to impact

  • Check-in for clarity, certainty, context

  • Use the WAIT Rule: Why Am I Talking / Why Aren’t I Talking?

  • Be aware of your space, the positions and privileges you bring (racial, class, gender, etc.), and how these may affect others

  • Listen to understand; ask before assuming. Listen, process your thoughts and the message conveyed, and then ask what is unclear before jumping to conclusions. Commit to listening, commit to learn; this also applies when offering and receiving critical feedback.

Language is powerful

Be aware of the language you use in discussions and exchanges and how this relates to others. In discussions, raise your hand to speak, do not interrupt others

Do not use ableist and other harmful language. More can be learned from Self Defined.

Recognize the difference between identity-first and people-first language, especially when discussing disability. More information on this can be learned from Cara Liebowitz's “I am Disabled: On Identity-First Versus People-First Language,” from The Body is Not an Apology blog

Learn and enjoy!

We’re here for you. Default for direct contact instead of public callouts. For conference-related concerns, email gia@giarts.org or speak to a GIA team member.

GIA acknowledges and thanks the folks at Allied Media Conference, Daniel Lim Consulting, and ArtPlace America for inspiring the creation of these guidelines.

Want to see or hear a great example?

In her opening remarks, Korina Emmerich, Puyallup, designer, and activist offers an exemplary reminder that Indigenous peoples are still here and present and we must actively fight against their erasure.

To learn more about the Native land you occupy and how to compose your unique land acknowledgement that is local to your community, we recommend this USDAC guide and this Native Land map. We also encourage you to reach out to your local Native and Indigenous communities for guidance on how to do this respectfully.