

Our Commitment to
Diversity | Equity | Inclusion | Access
Fort Worth Opera has taken action to examine its history, reconcile its artistic privilege, and address inequities within the company to achieve a higher level of accountability to our artists, our staff, and our community. This examination has led our company to seek out distinct and measurable actions that support a more accessible, inclusive, anti-racist, and equitable company that honors and celebrates its 75-year-long legacy while ushering in a new era for the company. To that end, Fort Worth Opera has identified three overarching principles to guide our decision-making, artistic planning, and stakeholder engagement efforts as we strive to be a leader in the industry. For each principle, Fort Worth Opera commits to action-oriented work to advance innovation and champion integrity for Fort Worth Opera and the operatic art form.
PRINCIPLE ONE: Since cultural institutions throughout history have promoted, and in some cases upheld, exclusion based on class, race, gender, and other forms of social division, Fort Worth Opera commits to:
Break down barriers that limit access to opera experiences and creative expression.
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We commit to dismantling historical barriers within the opera community and ushering in a more representative body of work.
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We commit to creating a more accessible opera experience by ensuring productions consider viewing options, pricing options, language options, and performance locations across North Texas.
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We commit to building a workforce representative of the diverse population we serve and removing inequitable barriers in casting, hiring, recruitment, and training.
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We commit to reviewing classic works and commissioning new works from underrepresented and often underfunded artists that encourage diverse and representative storytelling.
PRINCIPLE TWO: Since great art reveals hidden truths and asks that we open ourselves to the perspectives and lived experiences of others, Fort Worth Opera commits to:
Foster open and productive dialogue with, and in support of, our performances and programs.
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We commit to producing innovative work–both new works and reimaginings of classic works–that both exalts and denies, that challenges privilege and prejudice while enriching the spirit.
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We commit to leading educational discussions and intentional community dialogues; that center the experiences of communities that have been, historically, left out of the opera discourse.
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We commit to extending the opera experience beyond the performance space and into the diverse communities across North Texas through championing innovative education and outreach programs.
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We commit to providing a holistic, artistic experience for our communities by facilitating lectures and community discussions that foster awareness of historical and current opera education
PRINCIPLE THREE: Since every individual deserves to experience the joys and sorrows of fine art with dignity and respect, Fort Worth Opera commits to:
Celebrate our shared humanity.
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We commit to producing artistic experiences that forge closer connections between artists and audiences rooted in authenticity and value for each individual.
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We commit to providing opportunities for various communities to come together in celebration of both our valued differences and our commonalities.
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We commit to promoting a sense of belonging and connection to opera through partnerships with organizations serving the community in diverse ways.
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We commit to treating anyone with whom we interact–artists, patrons, donors, staff–as an individual worthy of dignity and respect.
