EQUITY & NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Pelham Art Festival welcomes and includes artists, artisans and art lovers of all backgrounds and abilities.

Approved January 2022. Reviewed October 2023.

Every year, the Pelham Art Festival transforms the Accipiter Arena in the Fonthill Meridian Community Centre into a large public gathering space where people from the Golden Horseshoe area and beyond can meet and mingle on Mother’s Day weekend to enjoy a wide variety of original arts. It is an annual event that brings together a diverse mix of visual arts and artistic expression for the public to experience: new voices and fresh interpretations are embraced. Now, due to a new e-commerce website in 2021, Pelham Art Festival nurtures artists' careers online year-round. Festival-goers and the public are invited to see the world slightly differently and beautiful unique artworks find their way into hearts and homes.

What is equity, diversity, and inclusion?

Equity is the fair and respectful treatment of all people. Equity is the process; equality is the result. We believe in the inherent dignity and equal rights for all human beings, and strongly believe that no one should face discrimination based on their race, colour, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. We will act to exclude discrimination in the recruitment of artists, jurors and curators, committee members and volunteers in training and working conditions.

Inclusion is the creation of an environment where everyone feels welcome, is treated with respect, and can fully participate. Assistance is available to those who face barriers related to disability so that no one feels excluded.

Diversity in people and creative content strengthens the quality and impact of artistic talent by bringing together people of any background, and multiple ideas and perspectives. We are committed to celebrating Niagara’s diversity by providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone including volunteers, exhibiting artists, jurors, curators, our sponsors, contributors, and donors supporting businesses and the people who attend the festival.

We will do our best to follow our obligations to ensure the safety, rights, and inclusion of all people. We will follow the Accessibility Policy as set out by the Town of Pelham, so please let us know if you require accommodations or assistance. We wish to remove barriers for people with disabilities or other challenges, promoting equal opportunities for all and welcome anyone who wants to expand their world through the appreciation of the arts.

This Policy is a “living document” and will be revisited, updated, and revised in response to new legislation, evolving community standards, and our ongoing evaluation of the Pelham Art Festival.

Support Available as Needed

Feel free to use [email protected] to remove barriers to access. Training is available for professional development opportunities for artists and artisans. Support is available for those who are disability-identified, newcomers, Indigenous, or anyone who is limited in their ability to use technology. Dedicated space is offered if needed. Every effort will be made to assist where there may be a need.

We pledge not to discriminate or tolerate discrimination on this basis, in any of our actions, activities or operations and will actively seek to encourage, support, and reach out to equity-seeking individuals and communities.

Our outreach, marketing and communications will seek to “radically welcome” participation by the widest possible variety of participants and attendees.