As a purpose-driven organization, seeking to illuminate our collective humanity through the theatre experiences we produce, OSF proudly stands behind the values of IDEA:
Inclusion: Inclusion means that people across varying identities are and feel valued, welcomed, respected, included, represented, and heard and that they fully belong, can be authentic, can contribute to the collective, and have a voice.
Diversity: The practice or quality of including or involving people from various social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, neurodiversity, and identities.
Equity: Equity aims to balance the inequalities among everyone, considering their unique characteristics and promoting equal access to resources to achieve the same outcome.
Access/Accessibility: Giving equitable access to everyone along the continuum of human ability and experience.
OSF is an organization with a legacy of access work, dynamic repertory theatre, community engagement, education, and the FAIR program. We believe in the core principle that all should feel welcome and should experience a sense of belonging here at OSF. Through the pandemic, racial reckoning, and We See You, White American Theater movement, our work at OSF has continued, challenging the organization and community to lean into the future of IDEA at OSF.
Over the last two years, the IDEA team has worked on being collaborative, expansive, and committed to fostering IDEA so that it becomes a part of the organizational framework, business plan, and funding strategies. It is our goal to continue the vision and purpose of an IDEA-centered organization that holds itself accountable to IDEA for ALL, a place that welcomes everybody both in the workplace and in its theatre spaces.
We are proud of our IDEA work and commitment to Access & Accessibility, as exemplified in our ASL+ weekends. OSF will continue creating change that positively impacts patron experience, employee morale, and community engagement.
Our work has been inspirational, and we are committed to making IDEA sustainable and aligned with the dynamic art and artistry offered at OSF.