Institutional philanthropy has a long history of racial inequity and we recognize that this history cannot be erased overnight. We recognize that some of Bee Vradenburg Foundation’s philanthropic and administrative actions and policies have inadvertently perpetuated racial inequity in our local arts community. Finally, we recognize the many unearned privileges that our financial standing affords. We cannot change history, but we can and do commit to leverage these many privileges to create a more equitable foundation, and a more equitable arts community.
This is not a retreat from our work over the last twenty years. Rather, our commitment to equity is firmly in service of Bee’s belief and our vision statement that “arts are the soul of a thriving community.” We know that art has tremendous power to bring disparate communities together, and we will continue to invest in, encourage, and champion the incredible artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses in our community. Engaging deeply to support a more equitable arts scene will create a fundamentally healthier, more expressive, and more meaningful community for all residents of and visitors to the Pikes Peak Region.