AMP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
Since its founding, the American Mural Project has been about inclusion, collaboration, respect for one another, and all that dignifies us as working Americans. At the forefront of the organization is the mural: a massive artistic tribute to work and workers.
Honoring people of varying ethnicity, race, culture, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, veteran’s status, disability, educational background, beliefs, and life experiences, the mural is a tribute to all workers and highlights what has defined the country over the last century.
Diverse forms of work are showcased—blue collar, white collar, hourly, freelance, volunteer, essential, and more. Just like there are many forms of work, there are many types of workers. And it’s these differences that serve as the inspiration for all of AMP’s education programs, as well as the challenge for visitors and participants: everyone can find their place in the mural and all can contribute to American culture.
Over the last twenty years, AMP’s state projects across the country have intentionally brought together diverse groups to work collaboratively alongside one another—to share experiences, ideas, and creative solutions—and have served as the key to bridging participants’ varying economic and cultural backgrounds.
Like the collaborative projects that helped create pieces of the mural, AMP’s education programs also seek to be inclusive. With the introduction of virtual programming, geographic barriers have been lifted. Scholarships are available and promoted for AMP’s fee-based programs, reducing economic barriers and widening participation among local communities. AMP’s goals of honoring work and inspiring others to contribute remain the same, and will be paramount in future planning to ensure all participants and visitors are welcome, respected, and celebrated.
As AMP continues to grow and the mural building opens to the public in 2022, the staff and Board will continue to view the organization and its culture, programming, events, employment practices, and communications through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The work will be constant and ongoing, and all remain committed to these values to continue to support AMP’s role as a leading cultural institution in the local community and beyond.
Our work on this is continually evolving, and we will continue to put into words the changes and progress we’ve made, updating our DEI statement as we do.
