Throughout its nearly 40-year history, Women & Theatre has worked to embed inclusion and diversity into the ethos of the company. It is reflected in our commitment to promoting access and to working with creative practitioners of different ages, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. It is also at the heart of our work which aims to bring to attention the stories of marginalised communities and offer meaningful opportunities for collaboration.
We recognise however, the need for all organisations to do more.
In April 2021, W&T signed the More Than A Moment pledge, the West Midlands arts sector’s promise to take radical, bold, and immediate action, to dismantle the systems that have for too long kept Black[1] artists and creatives from achieving their potential in the arts and cultural industries. In signing the pledge, W&T committed to: take radical action; create opportunities across the sector at all levels; create an anti-racist culture where Black people can thrive and fulfil their potential; be accountable for the change.
In responding to the pledge, we recognised the importance of also bringing these principles to our approaches to working with other under-represented[2] groups, whilst also acknowledging the specific aims and our commitment to the More Than A Moment pledge.
To support this work W&T has produced this Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Framework & Action Plan. It has been developed through a process involving staff team discussions, engagement with peer organisations, training and work with our Board.
W&T’s EDI Framework was formally approved by its Board in June 2022 but remains a working document.
The latest version of our plan is available to download below.
W&T’s progress against the plan’s aims, objectives & targets will be reviewed at quarterly Board meetings, and a Progress Update made available on our website.
[1] Black African, Caribbean, Afro-Latinx and African-American heritage, including those of mixed-Black heritage who identify as such.
[2] Underrepresented refers to a person or group of people who are insufficiently or inadequately represented.
