As an organization, The New Harmony Project wants to acknowledge the pain the Black community is feeling. The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and Breonna Taylor--the most recent names on a horrific list that grows each year--have been heartbreaking and tragic.
We want to start by recognizing that this statement is overdue. We also want to acknowledge the historic whiteness of The New Harmony Project. We stand with and support our community of Black artists, staff, and supporters. We believe Black Lives Matter and are committed to supporting the Black community protesting the racism and oppression that have been faced for too long.
It also feels important to say, a statement isn’t enough.
With that in mind, we are committing to auditing and examining the artists and work we have supported as an organization over the past 34 years. We are committed to using that information over the next 60 days to develop a clear plan for how we can be better. We are committed to sharing this information publicly with our artists, audiences, and supporters as we search for new ways to use our platform to do more. If you’re interested in joining those conversations, please let us know. We know that our community is The Project’s greatest resource. We are looking inward at what we can DO to keep you safe, supported and telling stories that inspire hope.