diversity in arts award
About the Award
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s “Diversity in Arts Award” recognizes significant contributions of an individual or organization in the State of West Virginia that has influenced and/or increased diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the Arts. Acknowledging and celebrating leadership and excellence in advancing DEI, the awardee serves as a role model and champion as they exemplify DEI support, resources or involvement in various communities, outreach, service, educational or other activities that foster inclusion and belonging for everyone.
The WVSO will work with the award recipient(s) to provide beneficial exposure of the artist’s/organization’s work to the community.
Eligibility
Nominees must be residents living in or organizations (including community groups, corporations, nonprofit organizations, religious groups and teams) based in or doing a majority of business in West Virginia. Nominees must be able to prove they have made significant contributions to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in West Virginia Arts. The awards will not be given more than once to the same individual and preference for this award will be given to non-individual nominees who have not received the award previously. In general, this award is not intended to be given posthumously. Individual awardees must not be serving on the WVSO staff or Board of Directors.
Nomination Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated based on their performance in areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that impact an area of the arts. Submittals of specific examples of performance utilizing the following criteria are encouraged. After reviewing the initial nomination submissions, additional information may be requested including resumes or reference letters to assist in the evaluation of the nominees under consideration.
Nominees must demonstrate any of, but not all of, the following:
• Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in an area of the Arts including in their profession, institution, community, or team
• Efforts in raising awareness in the Arts about challenges and opportunities related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Efforts in an area of the Arts to increase opportunities and eliminate barriers for all individuals in the region including opportunities for women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities
• Advocating for and developing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices in any area of the Arts including initiatives, programs and policies that produce results for improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the arts
Who may nominate and when
Anyone may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are permitted. Nominations will be accepted beginning June 4, 2023 and must be completed through the online submission portal. Deadline for nominations is November 30, 2023. Mailed nominations will not be accepted. Abandoned or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
The awardee(s) will be notified in the Fall of 2023.
Selection Committee
Awards will be made at the discretion of the WVSO’s Board of Directors. The Board’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee will receive nominations and take a recommendation to the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee for approval. The DEI Committee may choose to grant an award or not grant an award in a year. Members of the DEI Committee may not make nominations but members of the Board of Directors, not engaged in the DEI Committee, may do so.
Contact
Questions about the nomination process or for those experiencing difficulties in using the online submission portal, may contact Jessica Silber, WVSO Development Director, at (304) 957-9879 or jsilber@wvsymphony.org.
