Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

At Virginia Opera, we believe in the enduring power of music to uplift, dignify, and inspire the human spirit. Our vision is, and always will be, to engage and unite our communities through opera. We aim to serve as a beacon by developing strategies and best practices with regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We define diversity not just as race or gender but also as the differences in the backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and ideas of our employees, artists, leaders, and patrons. We believe our diversity cultivates new perspectives and innovation that enhances our ability to deliver artistically superior performances.

We define cultural equity as the values, policies, and practices that ensure that all people—including but not limited to those who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, or religion—are represented in the arts and the development of arts policy; the support of artists; the nurturing of accessible, thriving venues for expression; and the fair distribution of programmatic, financial, and informational resources. We believe that cultural equity is critical to the long-term viability of the arts, that everyone deserves equal access to a full, vibrant creative life, and that the prominent presence of artists challenges inequities. We pursue cultural equity in the communities we serve through our civic engagement and educational programs, and through the internal processes and standards by which we bring compelling opera to our audiences.

We have begun to examine the attitudes, behaviors and barriers that underlie the art form’s exclusive traditions, while exploring and investing in new works and avenues through which to tell these stories. Newcomers to opera will be introduced to the art form in a variety of settings and will be welcomed and valued as contributors to programming and organizational decision-making. Inclusion goes beyond numerical diversity to ensure authentic representation, empowered participation, and a true sense of belonging.

At Virginia Opera, we commit to active, ongoing learning to create a culture reflective of our values. We work with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) and similar organizations for ongoing employee and leadership training. Our Aria Society, named for its foundational commitment to Accessibility, Representation, Inclusion, and Advocacy, is comprised of staff and board members tasked to strategize, implement, and uphold systems and processes within the organization that are just, equitable, and inclusive. Consistent with OPERA America, we seek to increase the diversity of our staff, boards, and leadership through our recruitment, hiring, development, and mentorship practices, and increase the recruitment, nurturing and retention of singers, conductors, directors and other artists, artisans and technicians of color, and create similar opportunities for composers and librettists.