Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

Laguna Dance Festival values equity, diversity, and inclusion and is committed to furthering these values via each aspect of our mission to present world-class dance performance, increase public appreciation for the art, and provide quality dance education.

Martha Graham said, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” We take this as our inspiration to leverage this amazing art form in pursuit of the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

As we move further into the 21^st Century, we will continue to embrace a broader vision of cultural inclusion in the dance we present, including centering dance that is not born of the classical ballet of the imperial courts of Europe.

The exquisite beauty of dance must also be relevant to our community if we are to survive as an art form and an organization. This will require a vision that is more inclusive, that is capable of acknowledging and respecting the diversity of human culture.

An initial step is to create equal access and opportunity for all students, and where aspiring young dancers of all colors and races feel welcomed into the art form. Participation at the education level is critical and providing access to a broader and economically disadvantaged population is our commitment to the future. We are also working to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in our internal operations to foster greater trust in how our organization is run.