C²EC: Schools and Scholars
The Schools and Scholars Forum is a space for dance educators in divergent educational spaces (conservatory, studio, academia). All these educational spaces are vital aspects of our artistic ecosystem.
School & Scholars is designed to focus on investigating ways to shift studio/classroom culture to reflect the increasing diversity in our ballet/dance programs. We will examine, pedagogy, teach modalities, tools, language and the racial and cultural biases that are embedded within the ballet form and collaborative work on designing a new blueprint for training.
Cultural Competency and Equity Coalition (C²EC) is a membership-based organization that supports the embodiment of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism and Cultural Competence (I.D.E.A.&CC) and works to transform the cultural norms within the classical arts and beyond. C²EC is a learning community providing the support, education, and advocacy organizations, leaders, artists, educators, and creators need to reimagine and reshape the culture and the standards of their fields.
The C²EC and its members will work collaboratively to become anti-racist and embed the foundational tenets of I.D.E.A.&CC into their organizations and the field at large. Most importantly, C²EC will provide a measure of accountability that has been missing by encouraging members to exercise transparency not only within the Coalition, but with its employees, stakeholders, patrons, and the public.
C²EC is the entity that will call our members “in” before they get called out. We actively foster the practice of “community responsibility” by encouraging leaders to hold themselves and one another accountable for the evolution they say they want to see.
C²EC has designed a Curriculum of Change that will address the needs of the field, from pipeline to performance, boardroom to box office and beyond. Our team of consultants, facilitators, and educators—experts in various subject matters, (I.D.E.A., organizational culture, history, human resources, etc.)—will engage members as a cohort to influence organizational cultural reform.
Facilitator: Theresa Ruth Howard
As an international consultant, curator, and diversity strategist, Theresa Ruth Howard’s work has evolved into a 360° approach to reforming ballet, viewing the field as an ecosystem. She takes pride in being at the forefront of transformation within the ballet world, and in August 2020, The New York Times profiled her
work, lauding it as "A Force for Change." With a distinguished career working with over 30 leading cultural institutions across the U.S. and abroad, including engagements with The Royal Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, American Ballet Theatre, and New York City Ballet, she has left an indelible mark. Ms. Howard’s professional journey includes dancing, contributions to scholarly journals and industry magazines, teaching ballet, leadership coaching/mentoring, and collaborative ventures with numerous universities and presenting organizations.
Ellen Walker Executive Director, of Pacific Northwest Ballet
"Theresa has been a major influence and force for good at Pacific Northwest Ballet. She has been an agent of change across every part of our organization, from our company to our school, and in the way we interact with our broader community. Our anti-racist work has greater specificity and greater momentum because of our partnership with Theresa and the evolution we've fostered together. She has had a profound influence on me personally and in the way I lead and the way I follow."
Ernst Meisner Artistic Director, Dutch National Ballet Academy
"The combination of Theresa's energy, transparency, honesty and sense of urgency are characteristics that make one listen. Her innate ability to connect with people and make them feel safe through direct and open conversation, filled with also a sense of humor, makes for an environment in which people can open up quickly and are able to learn."
Jane Raleigh, Director, Dance Programming, The Kennedy Center
"Talking through ideas/thoughts/feelings about DEI work within ballet at the Kennedy Center has helped me articulate my own ideas more clearly and directly. She has helped me feel empowered to make bolder choices and stand behind them with conviction. She has also helped me wrestle with ideas about the institutional structure within the Kennedy Center and the ballet field at large, to pick apart what the most important pieces of the conversation are."
Example Curriculum
Drafting a new blueprint for Ballet and Beyond
C²EC is founded on a collaborative model, and the voices of our members shape and mold the work, support, and services we offer. We are committed to modeling effective communication, collaborative problem solving, and transparency. Redesigning a culture is like remodeling a house—once you open up the walls you never know what you might find. Therefore, the C²EC is an entity that is malleable and able to adjust to address emerging needs of members and the field as they arise, while remaining true to the original intent and mission of the Coalition.
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