Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

Juilliard is committed to the diversity of our community by fostering an environment that is inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to all. In working toward this environment, we recognize that our steps forward must be placed in the context of systemic issues that shape our industry. It is only through a dedicated commitment to this work that we can achieve our mission of providing the highest caliber of artistic education to students and actively shaping the future of the performing arts.   

Our path forward aims to be holistic and intentional, with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging included as a core value and priority of the school.

As an institution responsible for educating and developing student artists who are the future of the performing arts, we must understand the systemic factors that have historically contributed to inequities within Juilliard and beyond. Knowing this history, recognizing its impact on the present, and sharing knowledge to unite the school community in this work, allows us to move forward together.

 

Value Statements 

EDIB at Juilliard represents the following values:  

• Fostering an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment for all.   

• Endeavoring to provide fair treatment, access, and opportunity for all students, faculty, and staff. 

• Building community, encouraging collaboration and innovation, and providing artistic and educational experiences at the highest level of excellence.  

• Respecting diverse perspectives and fostering opportunities for broader dialogues and experiences. 

• Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and change as we further develop our EDIB work. 

• Continued support, development, and launching of programming that embodies our commitment to EDIB. 

 

What does EDIB represent?

We use the acronym EDIB to describe our efforts to build a community and practice that is inclusive, supportive, equitable, and welcoming. The following terms are used to capture our work:

Equity: Promoting fair treatment, access, and opportunity for advancement while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of all groups.

Diversity: Psychological, physical, and social differences that occur among any and all individuals; these include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, etc.

Inclusion: The act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate and be their full authentic selves.

Belonging: The sense of acceptance as a part or member of a group; an important human need that cultivates value and positive outcomes.  

In July 2018, President Damian Woetzel shared in his inaugural message to the community, and further described in his first Convocation address in September 2018, that EDIB initiatives were to be included as a core value and priority of the school. Housed within the Office of the President, the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging leads this work while collaborating with departments, divisions, and individuals throughout Juilliard and beyond.

The Office of EDIB aims to work on equity issues throughout the student experience, focusing on assessing areas of need, analyzing data, and prioritizing actions to be carried out across departments. The major initial steps of the office formation can be categorized as follows:

 

Formation of the Office of EDIB and the EDIB Initiative: In July 2018, Damian Woetzel began his Presidency and identified EDIB as a top priority for the school. After working to identity top priorities for EDIB work at Juilliard, an EDIB program manager was hired in January 2019, and in November 2019 promoted to director for EDIB initiatives.

 

The EDIB Taskforce and Strategic Plan: The EDIB Taskforce, consisting of faculty and staff members from across divisions and departments, was formed with the initial charge of developing the school’s Strategic Plan core value of EDIB, as well as helping to shape the EDIB Foundational Workshop for the community.

 

EDIB Foundational Workshop: In collaboration with consultants, Juilliard developed a customized EDIB workshop for all faculty and staff following a comprehensive process that included listening sessions, an analysis of student climate surveys, and facilitated conversations among the EDIB Taskforce. The workshop began rollout in November 2019 and provided essential language, pragmatic approaches to everyday work, grounding knowledge around systemic inequities, and a forum for continuing EDIB discussions. The Foundational Workshop was designed to be given to all Juilliard employees and is now being included into the employee onboarding process. Workshops were facilitated by the director for EDIB initiatives with support from a co-facilitation team of faculty and staff. Students are required to participate in a parallel workshop when they begin their studies.

Onboarding EDIB Workshop 

The Foundational Workshop designed and implemented in 2019 for all Juilliard employees has since been incorporated into an online session to be given to all Juilliard employees as a part of the onboarding process. The sessions will also be available to continuing faculty and staff as an additional resource beyond the yearly workshop offerings.

 

Orientation and First Year Experience

In collaboration with Student Development, the Office of EDIB has expanded orientation touchpoints for undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students. Undergraduate sessions focus on community building, aspects of belonging, and identity. Graduate sessions build upon EDIB concepts through artistic works. The office is also presenting two EDIB-focused sessions during the First Year Experience course (previously Colloquium) as an extension of the undergraduate orientation.

 

Workshop Offerings 2021-22 Academic Year 

In collaboration with the 2020-21 Workshop Development Working Group, a series of educational opportunities was proposed for the 2021-22 academic year that included staff/faculty specific sessions with professional development and departmental/divisional forums to discuss within the context of art forms. The following sessions, with possible follow-up discussions, are slated for this academic year and will be developed with both internal and external presenters. A complete schedule will be shared this fall.

• Faculty/Staff Offerings
  • Tools for Inclusive Learning Environments
  • Fostering Belonging at Work
  • Navigating Representations of Diversity
  • Understanding Academic Accommodations
• Departmental/Divisional Offerings
  • Gender in Artistic Expression
  • Intersections of Self and Score
  • Navigating Missteps and Fostering Generative Rehearsal Spaces

The Bias Response and Title IX Office

The Bias Response and Title IX Office supports equity at the school offering prevention activities, and reporting and resolution procedures. The Office oversees and administers Juilliard’s Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

 

Student Diversity Initiatives

Student Diversity Initiatives offers student forums, trainings, and activities celebrating the diversity of our community. Programming is supported by Diversity Advocates, student leaders focused on educating the larger campus community on issues pertaining to diversity, culture, internationalism, and social justice.

The Taskforce

Under the leadership of President Woetzel, the EDIB Taskforce was assembled in June 2019 to spearhead the work and values of EDIB at Juilliard. The Taskforce is comprised of staff and faculty members from across the school, and this group meets monthly to explore best practices, review recommendations, and develop strategies that connect current efforts with ongoing planning and development. The EDIB Taskforce has been central to developing the EDIB Foundational Workshop and the EDIB pillar of the Juilliard Strategic Plan.

 

EDIB Working Groups

To increase feedback avenues in working towards identified priorities, the EDIB Working Groups were launched in October 2020. Working groups are comprised of students, faculty, and staff, and are responsible for identifying gaps, providing feedback, and utilizing their various expertise to create recommendations on specific priority items. Compiled feedback is then shared with the Taskforce and Leadership for review. The working groups are volunteer based, and members serve one-year terms meeting monthly for the academic year. We are committed to ensuring that the working groups include representation from across the school to allow for cross-sectional discussions and the sharing of various perspectives. Applications for involvement are sent to the community in the fall. 

The working groups for the 2020-21 Academic Year were Workshop Development and Bias Response. 

Future working groups will be determined based on identified priorities.

The Office of EDIB posts reports bi-annually with updates submitted by divisions and departments to communicate the continued efforts throughout the school and the work ahead.

The Fall 2021 Report (released January 2022) includes updates on recruitment efforts; collaborations with students groups; and the development of EDIB learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.

The Spring 2021 Report (released June 2021) included recommendations from working groups to be implemented during the 2021-22 academic year; internal collaborations with Alumni Affairs, Student Development, and the Writing and Communications Center; and continued EDIB efforts from the departments and divisions.

The Fall 2020 Report (released January 2021) included the formation of two working groups focusing on the following priority areas: workshop development and bias response; ongoing training for bias response deputies; and updates from departments and divisions on how they have each brought EDIB work into their areas.

The Spring 2022 Report (released December 2022) includes select EDIB highlights from divisions and departments across the institution.

For our internal community, we have a list of EDIB recommended resources posted as a LibGuide in collaboration with the Juilliard Library and community. The values of EDIB are upheld by continuous learning, and we encourage you to engage with us in understanding the systemic injustices that shape our experiences as we continue to build an inclusive community.

Additionally, we are grateful to the Diversity Advocates who spearheaded many resources including for gender pronouns, chosen name, safe zone, and land acknowledgement. Please visit the Student Diversity Initiatives page here to learn more.