Please use the following links to learn more about SDA’s Equity, Access, and Integration Committee

Mission & Members

SDA’s Equity, Access and Integration Committee (EAI) exists to hold space for and amplify the voices of historically underrepresented communities in the fiber and textile art world. The EAI Committee was formed to serve as SDA’s indelible response within its administrative framework to address systemic injustices of all kinds, including racial, gender and ability-based discrimination. Members of this committee take on the responsibility to keep SDA and its community accountable and committed to achieving this goal. This work will contribute to building an inclusive, mindful and empowered community of artists and leaders enriched in the field of textile and fiber art as a whole.

Equity, Access and Integration 2021 Progress Report

Committee Members

• Fafnir Adamites (they/them), co-chair
• Yvonne Osei (she/hers), co-chair
• Karen Baker (she/hers)
• Jennifer Lee-Morrow (she/hers)
• Valarie Poitier (she/hers)

Values

• Making space for and ensuring the success of leaders of color and those from underrepresented communities within our organization
• Raising the visibility of fiber and textile artists from historically underrepresented communities, including but not limited to BIPOC, ability-based, LGBTQ creatives in the contemporary art world
• Promoting critical dialogue and engagement around textile and fiber art rooted in global and inclusive initiatives.
• Identifying and ensuring opportunities for learning/unlearning and meaningful collaborations across all cultures, races, genders and abilities.
• Ensuring personal and collective work toward a deeper understanding of equity and inclusion through workshops, training, surveys, spotlights and others.
• Keeping SDA accountable to prioritize underserved communities in accessing paid opportunities including guest jurors, curators, speakers, workshop instructors and writers.

Events & Opportunities

Fall 2020: Holding Space: Bridging Fiber Art & Racial Identity was an online panel that featured three women artists, Shenequa Brooks, Fabiola Jean-Louis and Suchitra Mattai, who use textiles and fiber art to construct and explore ideas around racial identity. Presented in partnership with the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Textile Arts | Los Angeles.

Watch the recording.

Volunteer

Consider being a member of the EAI Committee today. Members of SDA can apply to serve on the EAI Committee. Apply here to be considered for the 2022-2024 term.

Questions

Send any questions to eai@surfacedesign.org