Places, People + Promises
At Now + There, we believe justice is core to our mission of fostering artists and the public to co-create bold public art experiences that open minds, conversations, and spaces across Boston, resulting in a more open, equitable, and vibrant city
Achieving our mission takes a community. Together, we are building a public art city where practicing radical collaboration and inclusion in the production of life-affirming art can flex the muscles needed to imagine new, equitable ways of living together. The more diverse and inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Creating a culture of equity is the right thing to do, and it will strengthen our work and our impact and help us achieve our vision: A public art city defined as open, vibrant, and equitable with bold, temporary art in all of Boston’s neighborhoods.
The following are the acknowledgments and commitments that drive our work of partnering with people and places.
Places
Unceded Land
We acknowledge that we operate on the unceded land of the past, current, and future Massachusett tribe and the painful history of their forced removal.
Systemic Oppression
We recognize the deliberate and systemic oppression that has created a legacy of urban renewal and transit disinvestment and work to overcome them.
Colonialism
Like many American cities, Boston’s wealth and legacy were built on Colonialism, erasure, and the oppression of peoples, including the brutal system of chattel slavery.
Eurocentricity
We also acknowledge that the art world that we operate in is inherently hierarchical, dominated by a Eurocentric view, and privileges those who traditionally have had power, access, and capital.
We recognize this is a performative gesture and commit to listening to the Massachusett people and ways we can stand in solidarity with them.
People
Staff
50% BIPOC
Board
50% BIPOC
Artists
More than 266 artists
Partners
103 Program Partners
We hold ourselves accountable to non-discriminatory hiring and recruitment practices to all those we collaborate with in the production of public art experiences. By adhering to bold, open communication and clearly defined roles (often co-developed), responsibilities, and shared goals, we treat partners with dignity and respect. We build and earn trust.
PROMISES
Diversity
We commit to increasing the racial, ethnic, socio-economic, gender, physical ability, sexual preference and neuro diversity of all we employ (e.g., staff, vendors), those who contribute to decision-making (e.g., Board, Ambassadors), and those we partner with (e.g., program contributors) so that the artworks we create are inclusive and representative of the demographics and conversations being held by today’s Bostonians.
Inclusion + Belonging
We will seek out communities of color, Black, and Indigenous Peoples in the co-creation of experiences and audiences. We commit to commissioning at least 50% of our annual Signature Projects from self-identifying BIPOC artists.
Transparency
By adhering to bold, open communication and clearly defined roles (often co-developed), responsibilities, and shared goals, we treat partners with dignity and respect. We build and earn trust.
Co-creation
Now + There commits to co-creating bold, contemporary artworks that open minds, spaces, and conversations with the aim of creating a more vibrant and equitable city. We acknowledge we are learning and encourage our partners and audiences to work alongside us, provide feedback and hold us accountable for imagining new models of cultural production.