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You are here: Home / About / Black Lives Matter Statement

Black Lives Matter Statement

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At The Bray, we believe that Black Lives Matter. We stand in solidarity with Black, Indigenous and communities of color and all oppressed and marginalized peoples. We understand that statements of solidarity must be accompanied with action. 

In 2020 The Black Lives Matter movement illuminated the intolerable violence, inequities and injustices aimed at the Black community in the United States. At The Bray, we are taking an honest look at ourselves as individuals and as an organization. The Bray has been a place for artists to work in a safe space of equity and respect once they are on campus, but we recognize that we can and must do a better job of representing the diverse range of makers, artists, craftspeople, designers and thinkers who make up our residents, staff, board, students, volunteers, supporters and creative partners.

Looking back at our history, The Bray has supported artists from different cultures, races, genders and sexual orientations. However, many groups, particularly the Black community, have been severely underrepresented. This lack of full representation and societal exclusion is a problem at The Bray, a problem in the ceramic arts field, and a systemic issue in our country that needs to be addressed. We can do better. The Bray is committed to actively improving the conditions in the ceramics community and working to be anti-racist in every facet of what we do.

The Bray Board of Directors and Staff are currently engaged in long-term strategic planning to change the present and future of the organization.  Collectively, we have made a commitment to prioritize diversity at The Bray in all aspects of the organization.

  • 1 People in Black and Indigenous communities face systemic barriers to education – this includes ceramic education and exposure to the arts which is where lasting change can occur. We have been in discussion with organizations that work with underserved populations in both Black and Indigenous communities and have created the framework for several new Black and Indigensous led and focused engagement programs. We are actively seeking funding to partner with these organizations to make this a core focus of our engagement and education program for years to come.
  • 2 Continued critical evaluation of our board structure with active recruitment for a diverse body of members to best represent our community. The leadership of The Bray should reflect the people we aim to serve now and in the future.
  • 3 Develop scholarship opportunities for artists of color to remove financial barriers in all of our programs.
  • 4 Actively inviting artists of color for the residency and visiting artist programs as well as future staff positions. We are honing our diversity policy to reflect this effort and ensure all of our artists, staff and board are included, supported and treated equitably.
  • 5 We will use our media platforms to promote artists of color in our field and those that have been involved with The Bray.
  • 6 Provide resources and training annually to the board, staff and residents to support an anti-racist environment.

We acknowledge the many ways in which organizations perpetuate structural racism and oppressive systems. We humbly acknowledge our mistakes, and we commit to continually learn from them in order to grow as an organziation on this journey toward liberation. We understand that statements of solidarity must be accompanied with action. While we have much work to do in these areas, and it will not happen overnight, we are identifying our shortcomings and are committed to enact real long-term change. We invite all of you to be in conversation with us at The Bray and value your ongoing feedback and suggestions on how The Bray and the field of ceramics can strive and thrive together to be an inclusive, inviting and actively anti-racist community. Improvements in diversity at The Bray are long overdue and we will keep you updated with transparency as we create and implement concrete and inclusive strategies. It is with full commitment that we are working to shape and nurture long-term systemic change within our field.

Over the past 9 years we have fully engaged in building the infrastructure and public access to our programs through facilities improvements that have included a new education facility, administrative offices and a new sales gallery. We would be remiss to have dedicated so much time, energy and investment into The Bray and not make it available to ALL who are seriously and sincerely interested in the ceramic arts. Together we stand with Black Lives Matter and for an equitable present and future in our community.

Join the Conversation

We invite all of you to be in conversation with us at The Bray and value your ongoing feedback and suggestions on how The Bray and the field of ceramics can strive and thrive together to be an inclusive, inviting and actively anti-racist community. If you are willing, please share your thoughts with us at feedback@archiebray.org.

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Helena MT. 59602
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The Bray is a 501(c)(3) exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code and all contributions to the Bray are deductible to the full extent allowed by law. For more information contact the Bray Development Office.