Equity: Our Commitment

[Note:  Published June 13, 2018 / Updated June 2020, March 2021. ] This is a “living document” and we want to first acknowledge that we are continually learning and growing as a nonprofit organization and as individuals in our society. We’re not perfect and no policy is ever perfect, but we can continue to learn and improve. If you have any feedback or ideas for the policies within or other Abbey related topics please don’t hesitate to contact us.   Feel free to copy/share for your own events as well.  We developed this in consult with many other groups and policies.]  

Land acknowledgement: 

Abbey Arts wishes to acknowledge that we are on the ancestral and unceded traditional territory of the Duwamish Tribe and the land that touches waters of tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.

See www.fremontabbey.org/respect for more

Our commitment to equity will always be growing and changing, because we are always learning.

Abbey Arts was founded on the core ethic of working to provide inclusive and welcoming affordable spaces for people of all incomes and ages to be able to experience creativity & community.  

Racial Equity:
Abbey Arts commits to an anti-racist work practice that includes & centers the creativity and leadership of people of color – those most impacted by structural racism – to move toward systems that benefit us all. 

We envision a city of people whose success, safety and health are not pre-determined by their race. A city where all artists, performers, writers and creative workers have the freedom, agency and platform to share and amplify their stories, art, cultures and experiences.  We work toward this vision by addressing and working to eliminate institutional racism in our programs, policies and practices.

We will continue to break through unhealthy industry arts/music standards and build arts-integrated tools that challenge the status quo, and push us toward the inclusive society we envision.  If you have any questions about our commitment, or would like to know more about the work we are doing, please email us.   

[Adapted from Seattle Office of Arts & Culture]

Income Equity:

See Arts Connect

Age Equity:

Nearly all Abbey Arts events are all ages.  More info on our About page.

Examples of How:

1.  We aim to make our events accessible & welcoming. Please use these resources (and ask for more!):

• Arts Connect (free tickets)
• ADA Accessibility
• Respect Policy

2. We consistently work to invite black, indigenous, & people of color to perform at events (compensated) and also take part in suggesting other performers who need a stage or help boosting their message.

3. Abbey Arts has an open call to paid guest curators from diverse backgrounds to create new events in our spaces.   Specifically aiming to elevate artists who have traditionally been unsupported in the music industry.

4. We prioritize offering our space for free or discounted rates for rehearsals/classes/filming to artists who have financial need or otherwise are in need of support.  Our budget is very limited, but we do our best to share our venues in an equitable manner.

5. We are listening. Have an idea or see an area of growth we can work on?
Please contact us. feedback is a gift!

More on our About Page