STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
2019–2022
OUR MISSION
DiverseWorks commissions, produces, and presents new and daring art in all its forms through innovative collaborations that honor each artist’s vision without constraint.
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We honor freedom of expression as an essential tenet of a civil society and know that art carries an astounding promise for individual growth and insight.
Through sharp attention to artistic quality and creative action, DiverseWorks: will invigorate Houston by fostering civic participation, cross-cultural understanding, and fueling innovation;
will be a nationally recognized artist-centered leader
will supply a steady array of stimulating installations, unlikely collaborations, and inventive happenings;
2019–2022
OUR VISION
in presenting compelling art that defies expectations;
and will take risks and present work that might not be shown elsewhere.
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OUR VALUES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
COLLABORATION
We value unchained freedom
We value the interactions between
of artistic expression in all forms.
artist and audience; we believe
We respect the artist’s role in
collaboration yields new artistic
provoking understanding of
methods and expands opportunities
social issues.
for broadening public access and understanding.
AUTHENTICITY DIVERSITY
dependability in our professional
We value diversity and inclusivity.
practice. FUN EXPERIMENTATION
We value a good party and a
We value artistic excellence that
good time. While our work can be
is born through a coupling of risk
rigorous and challenging we pride
and imagination.
ourselves in being welcoming, friendly, and fun.
2019–2022
We value truth in art and
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2019–2022
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• We serve the creative ambitions of all artists by providing an exclusive platform that allows for support that is unfettered, autonomous, and uncensored. • We serve art enthusiasts by increasing meaningful exchange and understanding of high quality contemporary art. • We serve artistically ravenous audiences—our famously diverse participants who refuse to be categorized. We welcome rare individuals who agree to face new and stimulating art seeking insight, renewal, and personal reward. • We serve Houstonians with unforgettable programs and events that add wonder and vitality to our neighborhoods. • And we seek to serve fresh audiences that haven’t experienced art, have never had the opportunity, or are merely looking for inspiration, action, or connection.
2019–2022
OUR AUDIENCES
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OUR PLACE DiverseWorks is one of Houston’s most innovative and storied arts organizations, with an astonishing record as a cultural agitator—helping to shape the arc of contemporary art nationally since 1982. a place of unbridled artistic ambition. With a rapidly growing population that is the most diverse of any major US metropolitan area, DiverseWorks takes artistic risks, engages new contemporary art audiences, and shares artistic excellence locally and beyond.
2019–2022
DiverseWorks embraces the blossoming international city of Houston,
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OUR GOALS
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1 Embrace an Adaptive 2 Cultivate Creative Leadership Approach to Space and Communities • approach space and location in a way that is adaptive
• strengthen leadership skills and build community by hosting
to the artist’s (or artists’) needs for the work
knowledge and skill sharing events, professional
• present risk-taking artistic programs in public and
development, and national networking opportunities for
unconventional spaces in the Greater Houston Area
artists, students, and arts colleagues
• make sure staffing and related funding needs are met
• develop public understanding and acknowledgment of
for working off-site
artists’ contributions to their communities
• build internal and external communications and
• create a fellowship with an open-call application process
marketing strategies in relationship to adaptive space
designed for artists to work with their neighborhoods
3 Encourage Cultural Equity and Inclusion in the Arts
4 Activate Board Engagement and Leadership
• develop a policy for Cultural Equity and Inclusion that serves
• increase board initiated activities to cultivate donors
as a model for small arts organizations
and corporate giving
• continue to develop the ideas and guidelines created
• conduct Board education and learning at meetings
through Project Freeway:
and Board hosted gatherings
• develop policies that will govern the effective use
› place a high value on conversation, dialogue,
of a cash reserve
recognized within traditional contemporary art circles
• establish an agreed to target for first step in building
a cash reserve
› create conversations and projects outside of DWs
usual spaces
› establish and nourish community partnerships with
organizations and individuals
2019–2022
and process involve Houston artists that are less-
› seek out partners and artist projects that openly
address social and political issues • be more systematic about outreach and the development of partnerships with specific demographic groups
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p 1 Laura Gutierrez, Center Aisle Blues, April 12-15, 2018. Co-commissioned and co-presented with the University of Houston Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts for CounterCurrent18. Photo: dabfoto creative p2
taisha paggett and WXPT in collaboration with Ashley Hunt and Kim Zumpfe, The School for the Movement of the Technicolor People, April 30 – May 28, 2016. Photo: Lynn Lane
p 3 Katie Grinnan, Enter-Face, 2012-2015, mixed media, installed at DiverseWorks for the exhibition Katie Grinnan: Nocturnal Hologram, September 11 – November 14, 2015. Photo: Michael O’Brien p 4 Takahiro Yamamoto, Direct Path to Detour, October 27 – 29, 2017. Photo: Lynn Lane p 5 Autumn Knight, M_ _ _ER, November 2 & 3, 2018. Photo: Lynn Lane p6
Carrie Schneider, Artist/Activist Matchmaking Event, October 11, 2017, for the exhibition Lines Drawn, September 23 – November 18, 2017. Photo: Terry Suprean
p 7 Harrison Guy and Walter Hull, Ritual Redux, March 30, 2018. Performance for 12 Minutes Max!, March 29 & 30, 2018. Photo: Lynn Lane 2019–2022
p 8 Kate Gilmore & Heather Rowe, Only in Your Way, January 21 – March 18, 2017. Photo: Paul Hester
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