Marion Community School of the Arts Awarded IYI Well-Being Project Grant to Strengthen Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marion Community School of the Arts Awarded IYI Well-Being Project Grant to Strengthen Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Efforts

Marion, Indiana — Marion Community School of the Arts (CSA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the IYI Well-Being Project Grant to support a comprehensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiative across the organization.

This grant will allow CSA to take intentional steps toward strengthening equitable access, representation, and participation in its arts education programs, pre-professional theatre company, and community theatre offerings. As an organization committed to serving the entire Marion community, CSA recognizes the importance of ensuring that its policies, leadership structures, and classroom practices reflect and respond to the diverse populations it serves.

Through this initiative, CSA will partner with Lark Song, a local consulting group specializing in organizational DEIB strategy and capacity building. Lark Song will guide CSA through a structured process that includes staff and board training, a review of organizational policies and procedures, and the development of a formal DEIB Policy Framework to guide future decision-making.

“This work is essential to who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Shelly Inskeep, Executive Director of Marion Community School of the Arts. “At this time in our community and in our broader cultural landscape, it is more important than ever that arts organizations lead with intentionality, accountability, and compassion. Our mission is to make excellence in arts education and enrichment accessible to all. This initiative ensures that we are not only saying those words, but building the systems and structures to truly live them out.”

The grant-supported work will focus on:

• Providing DEIB training for staff, faculty, and board members to build shared understanding and practical skills

• Reviewing and strengthening hiring, recruitment, outreach, and governance policies

• Establishing measurable goals and accountability structures to ensure long-term sustainability

• Enhancing community engagement efforts to increase participation from historically underrepresented groups

Megan Gilmore, Executive Director at Lark’s Song, emphasized the significance of this partnership:

“The DEIB initiative at CSA is a responsive, brave, and necessary work in our community, and we cannot wait for the impact both on our community and on the organization as a whole. Our Culture Care wing at Lark's Song exists to co-create transformative systemic change that requires the kind of humility, preparation, and investment that Community School of the Arts is displaying by pursuing a higher level of accountability when it comes to access, inclusivity, and equity.”

The initiative is designed not as a one-time project, but as a long-term investment in organizational learning and growth. By embedding DEIB principles into its strategic planning and evaluation processes, CSA aims to foster a culture where equity and belonging are central to all aspects of its mission.

Community Participation Invited

As part of this work, CSA is expanding its DEIB Committee and is seeking community members who are invested in arts education and enrichment—particularly individuals representing diverse populations within Marion—to participate in committee efforts.

CSA welcomes individuals who are passionate about increasing access to the arts, strengthening inclusive practices, and helping ensure that all community members feel seen, valued, and represented. Committee members will collaborate with CSA leadership to provide insight, share lived experiences, and help shape policies and outreach strategies that reflect the needs of the broader community.

Those interested in learning more about serving on the DEIB Committee are encouraged to contact CSA directly.

By undertaking this initiative, CSA reaffirms its commitment to making high-quality arts education accessible and welcoming to all and to serving as a responsive and inclusive leader within the Marion community.

For more information about CSA and its programs, visit www.csa-marion.com.