We caught up with our Spring 2017 Microgrant Recipient, Thanh Nguyen.
Funding from the ARAD Microgrant supported Thanh’s participation in the Theatre Communications Group National Conference, in Portland, Oregon. Theatre Communications Group is a national organization that provides news, resources and ideas for Broadway, regional and community theatre development. At the conference, Thanh took part of workshops related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Fall 2017 Microgrant applications are due on Friday, September 15, and ARAD is looking forward to supporting the next round of students in their professional development endeavors.
Check it out!
Describe the opportunity you participated in and how it aligns with your career aspirations.
I attended the 2017 Theatre Communications Group (TCG) Conference in Portland, a conference where theatre practitioners connect as peers, develop professionally and listen to aspiring thought leaders and peers in the field. Attending this conference was a professionally important goal as I aspire to build my career as a teaching artist while working towards becoming a Director of Education and Community Engagement. At the conference, I was inspired by meeting other theatre educators and artistic directors who generously shared their knowledge on building relationships through equity, diversity and inclusion, how to produce new works, and have a strong sense of self as a leader.
What were the most important takeaways from your experience?
The most important takeaway I received was that equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) begins with establishing diversity as a core value of an organization. I learned that this can be accomplished from the top down, by way of hiring EDI professionals who can make decisions laterally with artistic directors and senior level staff, by producing works that cast diverse actors and speak to diverse audiences, as well as linking funding partnership opportunities directly to theatres of color.
How has the microgrant helped to enrich you professionally?
Without the microgrant covering registration fees, I would not have the opportunity to connect with such amazing artistic directors, education staff and individual artists on similar successes and struggles on the subject of equity, diversity and inclusion. Thank you ARAD for making it possible!
Arts Administration 