This week, I finished something that I’ve been talking about for months: a formal introduction packet for all incoming Fused Creative artists and volunteers, which includes our community guidelines and harassment policy.
We are working our assess off to be truly inclusive, and to elevate the voices and perspectives of local artists. We are creating a community, which means having clear guidelines and an unequivocal stance on how we expect people who engage within that community to behave.
In particular, we outlined these policies formally to make it clear:
We will not tolerate discrimination of any kind–no transphobia, no racism, no misogyny. No harassment. Period. There is no neutral here.
The organization is so young, and our small staff works entirely on a volunteer basis. I know from my experience working with a variety of small to mid sized companies that it’s easy for stuff like this to get overlooked in the inception of an organization; it’s often not deeply considered until there is an official Problem. Even then, you see organizations of all kind scramble once a problem arises, and by then, folks have already been hurt and/or alienated.
We know that we can’t afford to wait that long; to do so would be a disservice to our values, our goals, and the artists, volunteers, and supporters who have already invested so much in us in these early stages.
We aim to protect our marginalized community members, because we want them to flourish. We can’t make the world or specific individuals less shitty, but we can make sure our organization will do everything in our power to create a space where our community feels supported and protected.
We may be a baby non-profit, but we’re aiming to handle this like bosses.
And on that note, learn more about Fused Creative and join our community of artists:
- Like us on FB: Fused Creative
- Follow us on Insta: @fusedcreativepdx.
- We’re still seeking artists and performers for our upcoming Queer & Glad to be Here show.
- Donate to help us fund our events and make all this cool ish happen!
We’re doing dope things and you absolutely don’t want to miss out.