DIA Hires National Firm to Lead Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Initiative | The Kaleidoscope Group’s work funded by 2019 grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences
Updated Sep 10, 2020
September 10, 2020 (DETROIT) -- The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has engaged The Kaleidoscope Group (https://kgdiversity.com/), a Chicago-based diversity and inclusion consultancy to lead its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) project, funded by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences awarded to the museum in 2019.
This transformational project is a key part of a museum-wide initiative that began in 2015 and includes increased diversification of the board of directors, acquisitions of art by Black artists, and paid internships to expand access to the museum industry.
The Kaleidoscope Group was selected by a cross-functional team of DIA employees representing a number of departments, including curatorial, guest sales, evaluation, protection services and others, who determined that the firm has the right experience and resources to make an impact on the museum.
“Through the efforts of our ‘Reflecting Our Community’ initiative, the DIA recognized the need for this internal work and was fortunate to receive full funding from the IMLS late last year,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA Director. “As our nation’s attention has been drawn to inequity and systemic racism over the past several months, it is critical that we move forward with the internal work that needs to be conducted. The next step for real growth and change is to apply and permeate this internal learning throughout our governance, programming, exhibitions, and overall visitor experience.”
The Kaleidoscope engagement will begin with an organizational needs assessment and inclusion survey to identify where the DIA is today and to develop a plan with specific metrics to guide the museum moving forward. The DIA will also hire a full-time director to lead this work on an ongoing basis.
The three-year project begins this month, and in the first year will include the development of an IDEA mission, vision and road map, an organizational needs assessment and an action plan for years two and three. The assessment will include a review of policies, procedures and practices, an inclusion survey for staff, executive alignment, focus groups and interviews with employees, and a data review, with a summary report and recommendations to be delivered in November.
About The Kaleidoscope Group
The Kaleidoscope Group is a full service, Diversity & Inclusion consulting firm, headquartered in Chicago with a national presence and global reach. They are a certified minority owned business enterprise (MBE) and are recognized as one of the top 10 pioneers in the Diversity & Inclusion industry. Kaleidoscope has assisted organizations with successfully managing culture change and creating inclusion for over 30 years. Their strength is to engage real people, in having real conversations, about real issues to create real change.
September 10, 2020 (DETROIT) -- The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has engaged The Kaleidoscope Group (https://kgdiversity.com/), a Chicago-based diversity and inclusion consultancy to lead its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) project, funded by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences awarded to the museum in 2019.
This transformational project is a key part of a museum-wide initiative that began in 2015 and includes increased diversification of the board of directors, acquisitions of art by Black artists, and paid internships to expand access to the museum industry.
The Kaleidoscope Group was selected by a cross-functional team of DIA employees representing a number of departments, including curatorial, guest sales, evaluation, protection services and others, who determined that the firm has the right experience and resources to make an impact on the museum.
“Through the efforts of our ‘Reflecting Our Community’ initiative, the DIA recognized the need for this internal work and was fortunate to receive full funding from the IMLS late last year,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA Director. “As our nation’s attention has been drawn to inequity and systemic racism over the past several months, it is critical that we move forward with the internal work that needs to be conducted. The next step for real growth and change is to apply and permeate this internal learning throughout our governance, programming, exhibitions, and overall visitor experience.”
The Kaleidoscope engagement will begin with an organizational needs assessment and inclusion survey to identify where the DIA is today and to develop a plan with specific metrics to guide the museum moving forward. The DIA will also hire a full-time director to lead this work on an ongoing basis.
The three-year project begins this month, and in the first year will include the development of an IDEA mission, vision and road map, an organizational needs assessment and an action plan for years two and three. The assessment will include a review of policies, procedures and practices, an inclusion survey for staff, executive alignment, focus groups and interviews with employees, and a data review, with a summary report and recommendations to be delivered in November.
About The Kaleidoscope Group
The Kaleidoscope Group is a full service, Diversity & Inclusion consulting firm, headquartered in Chicago with a national presence and global reach. They are a certified minority owned business enterprise (MBE) and are recognized as one of the top 10 pioneers in the Diversity & Inclusion industry. Kaleidoscope has assisted organizations with successfully managing culture change and creating inclusion for over 30 years. Their strength is to engage real people, in having real conversations, about real issues to create real change.