San Francisco Opera: Diversity, Equity and Community

Just announced! A new host is joining Michael Bragg for this edition of Opera Aficionado: the great American composer Nkeiru Okoye. Her work includes "Harriet T...ubman: When I Crossed that Line to Freedom," "Invitation to a Die-In" and "The Journey of Phillis Wheatley," all works inspired by the Black experience in American history. Space is limited! Sign up today: https://sfopera.com//educat/community-programs/aficionado/ (: Richard Termine/The American Opera Project)

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2359136711061253

I am happy to share this post about the community panel that was held by the Berkeley symphony orchestra and the Commonwealth club. In this panel discussion, we discussed racial equity in the arts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IMN_XFT1WE&feature=youtu.be

Please tune in to one of many community conversations on race and equity!

Celebrate Pride with San Francisco Opera! Throughout the month of June, San Francisco Opera’s Opera Aficionado: Interactive Lecture Series will focus on the impact and artistry of the LGBTQ+ Community. Join us for interactive, online lectures each Sunday afternoon as we explore the lives of gay composers and conductors along with gay themes and characters found throughout the centuries-long history of this transformative art form.... Photo Credit: Cory Weaver https://sfopera.com/aficionado

The recent onslaught of violence against Blacks Americans; including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others, reminds us that white supremacy and racial injustice are potent, systemically-entrenched social cancers in the United States. The deaths of these innocent Americans are tragic examples of the racial divide and the culture of intolerance with which our nation continues to struggle. The San Francisco Opera Department of Diversity, Equity and Co...mmunity was created to demonstrate our commitment to institutional transformation and social change. We stand in solidarity with the citizens of the SF Bay Area and beyond, in demanding justice, accountability, and systemic change. Because we wholeheartedly believe that Black Lives Matter. We also recognize that it is easy to draft words and make statements about justice, but all the more difficult to enact meaningful change. We commit to progressive action by first recognizing and confronting our organization’s own complicity in perpetuating inequity and structural racism. Next, we aim to listen deeply in order to learn and unlearn the ways in which the arts can play a critical role in sparking dialogue and promoting healing transformation. We envision a world in which people of all races, create, share, and enjoy resources and relationships equitably, unleashing individual potential, embracing collective responsibility, and generating global prosperity in the arts and beyond.

In this final installment of the TA PD series, Teaching and Youth Artists reflect on their month-long journey of collaborating, creating, and teaching in this new digital world.

Last installment of our 4-part Teaching Artists Professional Development Series: Creativity, Community & Wellness is coming up next Monday, May 11! REGISTER NOW in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_IvzWQFkBRUuNq_k5a7U3FQ

DEC Reading of the Week: "Community Character" - Kimberley Hodgson Building community and staying connected are crucial in this time of social isolation. Read about how arts and cultural strategies "create, reinforce, and enhance sense of place."

Today's streaming shares an installment of San Francisco Opera's Teaching Artists and Youth Creators sharing back the projects & lessons they have been developing.

Today's installment is part two of Teaching Artists and Youth Creators sharing back the projects & lessons they have been developing.

Please PRE-REGISTER here for our next Teaching Artist Professional Development Series on April 20: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fYwZ9NBLRJeUy9vDWlFXMw

DEC Reading of the Week: "Developing Culturally Responsive Approaches to Serving Diverse Populations: A Resource Guide for Community-Based Organizations" - Michael López, Kerry Hofer, Erin Bumgarner, and Djaniele Taylor... Now, more than ever, we must take accountability to be more culturally responsive in our teaching-- how can we make sure to include every child as their whole self in this time of online learning?