The Black Lives Matter protests over the past few weeks have further illuminated the intolerable violence, inequities and injustices aimed at the Black community in the United States. At the Archie Bray Foundation, we have been processing the significance of these events and taking an honest look at ourselves as individuals and as an organization. The Bray has been a place for artists to work in a safe space of equity and respect once they are on campus, but we recognize that we can and must do a better job of representing the diverse range of makers, artists, craftspeople, designers and thinkers who make up our residents, staff, board, students, volunteers, supporters and creative partners. 

Looking back at our history, the Bray has supported artists from different cultures, races, genders and sexual orientations. However, many groups, particularly the Black community, have been severely underrepresented. This lack of full representation and societal exclusion is a problem at the Bray, a problem in the ceramic arts field, and a systemic issue in our country that needs to be addressed. We can do better. The Bray is committed to actively improving the conditions in the ceramics community and working to be anti-racist in every facet of what we do.

The Bray Board of Directors and Staff are currently engaged in strategic planning to change the present and future of the organization.  Collectively, we have made a commitment to prioritize diversity at the Bray in all aspects of the organization.

The Bray is committed to the immediate initiatives:

1. People in Black and Indigenous communities face systemic barriers to education – this includes ceramic education and exposure to the arts which is where lasting change can occur. We have been in discussion with organizations that work with underserved populations in both Black and Indigenous communities and created the framework of a new outreach program last year. We are currently seeking funding to partner with these organizations to make this a core focus of our outreach and education program in the future. It is our goal that we will launch this program in the summer of 2021 when we reopen our summer educational session.
2. Re-evaluate our board structure and actively recruit a diverse body of members to better represent our community. The leadership of the Bray should reflect the people we aim to serve now and in the future.  New members will be added as soon as July 2020.
3. Develop scholarship opportunities for artists of color to remove financial barriers in our programs by summer of 2021.
4. Actively recruit artists of color for the residency and visiting artist programs as well as future staff positions. We are honing our diversity policy to reflect this effort and ensure all of our artists, staff and board are included, supported and treated equitably.
5. We will use our media platforms to promote artists of color in our field and those that have been involved with the Bray.
6. Provide resources and training to the board, staff and residents to support an anti-racist environment.

While we have much work to do in these areas, and it will not happen overnight, we are identifying our shortcomings and will enact real change. We invite all of you to be in conversation with us at the Bray and value your ongoing feedback and suggestions on how the Bray and the field of ceramics can strive and thrive together for inclusive, inviting and actively anti-racist community. If you are willing, please share your thoughts with us at feedback@archiebray.org.  Improvements in diversity at the Bray are long overdue and we will keep you updated with transparency as we create concrete and inclusive strategies.  It is with full commitment that we are working to shape and nurture long-term systemic change within our field.

Over the past 9 years we have fully engaged in building the infrastructure and public access to our programs through facilities improvements that have included a new education facility, administrative offices and this fall, a new sales gallery.   We would be remiss to have dedicated so much time, energy and investment into the Bray and not make it available to ALL who are seriously and sincerely interested in the ceramic arts.  Together we stand with Black Lives Matter and for an equitable present and future in our community.

Sincerely,
                                 
Steven Young Lee
Resident Artist Director