About the CMA

Art and Inclusion  

All people deserve equal opportunities. Racism, classism, ableism, misogyny, LGBTQ+ rights opposition, and actions that make anyone feel less than erode the potential of our communities and what we can accomplish together.
 
One of the many wonderful things about art is its role in healing. At the CMA we continue to offer art that not only celebrates diversity but causes us to reflect on the work that is still to be done toward equity and healing. Through deliberate work, we aspire to generate moments of reflection, learning, and advancement.  
 
As a team, we continue our path of vulnerable learning and nurturing mutual growth. We are examining what we’re doing well and what we’re not. We are focused on living our values and being an inclusive arts organization that is welcoming and inspiring to the public we serve.
 
Our ongoing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility work includes:

• 100% of the CMA Collection galleries today include work by women, Black artists, Indigenous artists, artists of color, and/or LGBTQ+ artists. 
• In the past five years, 48% of all exhibitions have been exclusively by women, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ+ artists. 
• The recent exhibition 22 South Carolinians, on view 12/2/21—5/22/22, celebrated 48 works of art by 22 Black artists with roots in South Carolina.  
• As a vehicle to foster staff participation in discussions, field trips, speakers, research, feedback, and conversations around DEAI topics, the CMA has hosted regular group time since summer 2020. These opportunities for growth, reflection, and change are yielding positive results both inside and outside the museum walls.  
• Four staff members, including senior staff and upper-level managers, completed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate online program at the University of South Florida in spring 2021.
• Also last spring, staff completed a survey, conducted by an outside consultant, to identify areas for improvement, growth, and learning in DEAI at the museum.
• Last summer, the CMA conducted community listening sessions in preparation for the fall 2021 exhibition 30 Americans. 
• Last fall, 20 employees completed a six-week Effective Equity training program facilitated by the Collaborative on Race at the University of South Carolina. 
• The CMA strategic plan prioritizes staff and board leadership's long-term commitment to DEAI work. Planning is active January – June 2022 for board engagement and optimization work to align with CMA strategic plan goals. 
• Senior staff are working with the CMA DEAI working group and legal counsel on the CMA Employee Handbook to update culture and policies to comply with laws, regulations, and workplace conditions and to remove potential biases. 
• The CMA has established compensation salary ranges and internal pay equity for all staff and continues hiring in this structure.
• All education and exhibition materials — art labels, tour scripts, marketing materials, etc. — are reviewed to ensure the use of inclusive language and images.
• With the support of leadership and one another, each staff member owns their role in contributing to a culture where all visitors and staff feel safe, heard, and valued.

Our DEAI work is not a sprint, it’s a relay where teamwork achieves successes. Check back quarterly to read about DEAI work in your art museum. I hope you will visit very soon — we look forward to welcoming you.

Della Watkins, executive director 
 

This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan.