Following the announcement of a three-year strategic plan for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the association, EdTA has received two grants to develop DEI-focused programs and member supports.
With a $50,000 National Endowment for the Arts Grant for Arts Projects award, EdTA will launch a technical theatre education project called Behind the Scenes for the 2021-22 school year. In partnership with Morgan State University, a historically Black college (HBCU), EdTA will bring together pre-service educators and designers and technicians of color to develop and teach tech theatre curriculum units alongside classroom teachers to Baltimore eighth graders.
A $10,000 innovation grant from the ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) Research Foundation will allow EdTA to enhance student leadership through DEI training and programming. The grant will fund training and processes that support three goals: Provide Thespians opportunities to achieve cultural competence and improve social/emotional learning; create access for students facing geographic and financial barriers; and develop student leadership, voice, and advocacy to effect change and dissolve inequities.
“EdTA is committed to addressing the ongoing underrepresentation of BIPOC across the field and EdTA,” said Executive Director Julie Cohen Theobald. “We’re grateful for the support from the NEA and ASAE to help achieve our DEI goals.”
Learn more about EdTA’s commitment to DEI and view the full strategic plan.
