The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee serves the New York Academy of Art community by working towards an environment in which a diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, genders, political and religious beliefs, physical and learning differences, sexual orientations, and identities are thriving at our institution.

The New York Academy of Art is an educational community and the chief part of education is learning. The DEI Committee serves as a resource for the institution and a conduit for the larger community to suggest improvement and innovation. The DEI Committee, composed of stakeholders including staff, faculty, alumni, students and board members, works in tandem with the larger DEI Council. Both act to create space and opportunities for representation. The DEI Committee recognizes that diversity, equity and inclusion efforts should be wide-reaching and include national origin, age, ability, race, gender identity and sexual orientation.

1. Build a progress-oriented, inclusive and collaborative environment where community members feel heard, represented, supported and uplifted.
2. Assess representation in Academy constituencies and propose actionable strategies to increase underrepresented groups.
3. Create safe spaces for encouraging dialogue and conflict resolution by serving as persons available for any community member to approach with suggestions on improving diversity.
4. Promote diverse perspectives and foster opportunities for broader dialogues and experiences.
5. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth by supporting actionable strategies to increase diversity, equity and inclusion.
6. Inform the community on diversity initiatives undertaken by the Academy administration and discuss success and improvements.
7. Create and maintain lines of communication, in an effort to bring transparency, tactility, and approachability to the institution’s ongoing development.
8. Create specific, timely and measurable actions to ensure equity and inclusion goals are met.

Board of Trustees

• Bridget Gless Keller
• Chris Wilson

Administration

• Angharad Coates, Director of Communications
• Katie Hemmer, Director of Admissions & Registrar, Title IX  Coordinator
• Gregory Thornbury, Vice-President of Development

Faculty

• Michael Grimaldi, Director of Drawing & Anatomy

Students

• Regiane Donadio MFA 2021, Sculpture representative
• Alessandra Hogan MFA 2021, Drawing representative
• Kayley Kemp MFA 2021,  Painting representative

Alumni

• Carlos Batista MFA 2018, Vice-President of the Alumni Association
• Helena La Rota Lopez MFA 2019
• Steven Johnson MFA 2017
• Tabitha Whitley MFA 2011, President of the Alumni Association

The New York Academy of Art Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee announces the formation of a DEI Council. The Council will meet twice a year, and serves as an information source for the DEI Committee, giving them critical insight into the priorities and needs of the larger community. Participation on the council is open to all, and the Committee would especially like to hear from representatives from groups including LGBTQ+, international students + alumni, BIPOC, non-traditional students + alumni and the differently-abled.

The first meeting will be held Wednesday, January 27 from 3 pm – 5:35 pm over Zoom. At the first meeting of the DEI Council, we will have breakout sessions including a Listening Session for participants to share experiences, and a Goal Development Session for the Council to actively suggest ideas, solutions and policies for the DEI Committee.

To attend the first meeting of the DEI Council, please register HERE to receive a Zoom link. It is not required to attend the full meeting.

Those members of the community who would like to sign up to speak during the Listening Session (3:55 – 4:40 pm) must also sign up HERE. (Please note: the total breakout session is 45 minutes long, and we will try our hardest to get to everyone.)