A Statement of Solidarity from Mitch Swain on Black Lives Matter

Black lives matter. Recognizing and challenging inequities is the collective responsibility of all of us in the arts. We hold this philosophy at the Arts Council and share the nationwide grief, anger, and outrage at the deaths of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Antwon Rose, and all the victims of systemic racism, police brutality, white supremacy, and oppression.

Since becoming CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council in 2006, I've been challenged to examine my biases and privilege, recognizing that despite my personal growth and desires to improve, this journey isn't over and continues today. I'm still listening and learning from those with life experiences impacted by racism and inequities. Over the past weeks, I've met with several Black leaders in our arts community and had frank conversations about taking actions as a white leader that are not only authentic but long term.

It's clear that we, the staff of GPAC and I, have to do more for our Black arts community. Silence and passivity are not acceptable. We will do better.

Racial equity and inclusion have been important tenets of our organization. It is my obligation to ingrain more holistic and thoughtful approaches to combat racism within our community. We are committed to becoming more engaged in impacting change in the arts sector and working to impact implicit bias, institutional racism, and equity in the arts. This ongoing work includes a commitment to the following long-term actions:

• We will support equitable grantmaking practices that, in particular, provide more resources for people of color.
• We will create a Black Arts Advisory Committee, a paid council of leaders to help us better understand how the Arts Council and the arts community can support and work with the Black arts community.
• We will advocate for the arts on the local, state, and national levels with more emphasis on changing legislation, funding, and policies that support implicit bias and institutional racism.
• We will continue our diversity, accessibility, equity and inclusion work through the lens of professional development for arts administrators in Pittsburgh. This has included a monthly lunch-and-learn series, free DEAI training for arts organizations, and leadership of the Network for Arts Administrators of Color Pittsburgh chapter.
• We will provide objective and valuable data and research in regards to DEAI in the Pittsburgh arts community. Our "Racial Equity in Arts Funding in Greater Pittsburgh" report confirmed "the overall picture is one of continuing disparities in funding by race" in our region. However, more actionable work is needed to make these data points valuable. Therefore, we will use this report as a foundation to continue on-the-ground work that facilitates opportunities to connect businesses, individuals, and funders with people of color in Greater Pittsburgh.

We are committed to listening to and learning from the Black voices in our community. The conversation does not stop with this movement. It's a commitment rooted in our humanity and concern for the lives and wellbeing of Black people.

Black Lives Matter.

Mitch Swain

CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council