The following Statement of Principles is Article II Section II of the ADC659 Constitution
The ADC is committed to working with the entire live performing arts community to ensure that the Local’s members, and all who work in this industry, do so in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, regardless of age, ability/disability, education, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, political beliefs, race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, marital, or family or socio-economic status. This list is not exhaustive and may be updated with inclusive language to uphold equity and autonomy to all marginalized populations. All of the Local’s spaces must be free of harassment, discrimination, bullying, and intimidation and must encourage and enable the dismantling of all systems of oppression. No other standard is acceptable.
The Local ADC 659 is a member-driven organization. Its role is to serve members’ collective interests in the workplace and in their communities. The culture of the Local is shaped by the essential ingredients of artistic, humanistic, and democratic participation. The Local will represent and amplify the unique artistic visions of its members and turn common purpose into collective interests and action. The Local is committed to unifying and upholding in solidarity the needs of all designers in the live performing arts community across Canada. Solidarity is shaped by relationships, by how members treat and care for each other, through expressions of respect and mutual support and continued acts of cooperation. An engaged membership is critical to the success of the Local. Engagement happens when ideas are welcome, involvement is encouraged, and when the Local actively develops the skills and understanding of its members. The Local’s efforts to be inclusive include an openness to new members and a broader definition of membership to ensure that the Local reflects the diversity of the membership and communities.
The Local is committed to good governance, clear rules and practices of transparency and accountability. The Local’s reporting, representation, and decision-making will be clear and relevant.
All people working in this industry must have the ability to address grievances without risk that institutional power will silence them. The Local recognizes that artists in the live performing arts face the risk of jeopardizing their livelihoods by speaking up. The Local pledges to work towards changing this dynamic so that no voice is silenced.
The Local pledges to continue to ensure that rehearsal halls, theatres, performance spaces, workshops, fitting rooms, studios, board rooms, offices and creative spaces are all safe and supportive of artistic work.