BAC Forms Diversity and Inclusion Committee

The Beverly Arts Center announces the formation of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, a new initiative to ensure the Arts Center is aligned with the interests of our members and the broader community at large. The committee’s primary goal is to reignite active patronage of the BAC. The committee believes this can be accomplished by partnering with peer & community based organizations; connecting with local artists & playwrights, and highlighting talented instructors and youth who actively participate at the BAC.

Beverly Arts Center Board President Ed Laginess says “The BAC Diversity & Inclusion Committee is leading a journey to identify how to build the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all of our operations, as well as model those values as we advance our mission. In service of this, the committee will evaluate internal biases, adopt practices, and identify ways in which our programming can reflect these principles. When those who shape the values and activities of the BAC, whether staff, board, or community members, come from a wide array of backgrounds, they each bring unique perspectives that shape, blend, and influence how we can move forward in innovative ways.”

To further this goal, the committee is focused on the upcoming 2019-2020 BAC season. The first effort of the committee is to dub the upcoming theatre season the “Season of Inclusion,” featuring stories focused on a wide array of races, orientations, and cultures. Further plans will be shared with the community in the coming months.

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is currently led by the following members: BAC Board Members: Ed Laginess, Andrea Nance & Stacey Recht joined by Carly Bishop, Steve English, Dorothy Straughter, and William Hightower.

The committee is looking to expand its membership in an effort to better represent the community. People looking to join the committee should contact Andrea Nance at drea814@comcast.net and Ed Laginess at e.j.laginess@gmail.com.