The Universal Participation (UP) Initiative is forged in the processes of Universal Design, supporting the work of cultural organizations that both provides and compels inclusion. In FY22 Mass Cultural Council provided funding to UP Designated organizations through the Innovation Fund and LEAD Professional Development Grants. Both grants come with expectations of the recipients to contribute to the ever-growing Community of Practice that is a key component of the UP Initiative.
Through the Innovation Fund, $3,000 grants were awarded to support innovative, inclusive actions by cultural organizations that will dismantle barriers and create equitable opportunities for civic and social participation. For example:
Monkeyhouse Dance (Malden) is activating improvisational performance techniques into their approach to administration policy.
Springfield Museums (Springfield) is working with user/experts to deploy accessible wayfinding for their campus.
Open Door Theater (Acton) is partnering with American Repertory Theater (Cambridge) to diversify the local audio-describer pool in the greater Boston area.
Jacob’s Pillow (Becket) is in development with user/experts and consultants to become a Hub for Artists with Disabilities
Sea the World Productions (Chilmark) is creating a dual language, accessible filmmaker production class.
Almost a third of Innovation Fund grantees are looking at their organization’s websites, upgrading to the Web Consortium’s Accessibility Guidelines, or their staff (empowering employees with self-knowledge and institutional respect).
LEAD Professional Development Grants offer $1,000 for staff from UP Designated organizations to attend the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference, an annual convention produced by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and hosted at cities across the country.
Part of a suite of plans developed by the Agency and its stakeholders to center equity as a guiding principle and a strategic practice; directing advancement and investment