The Tippecanoe Arts Federation works to ensure all individuals and communities experience the vitality of the arts. Moreover, we recognize that many existing systems of power grant privilege and access to the arts unequally. Equity is crucial to the long-term viability of both the arts and our communities. We believe that everyone can benefit from the arts. Reflecting the rich diversity of the communities we serve, the arts we support must embody differences of race, ethnicity, age, disability, size, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship, immigrant status, and religion.

We believe that every individual, adult or child, should see themselves in the work we do and the arts we support. We believe in fostering an inclusive environment in which different backgrounds, perspectives, neurodiversity, and experiences are heard, valued, and respected. At TAF, we believe that the arts should be accessible to everyone in the 14-county region we serve: Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Newton, Montgomery, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren, and White Counties.

At TAF we commit to serve inclusively and with intentionality. We actively seek to partner with organizations that serve communities that have been historically diverse, under-served and socioeconomically isolated. TAF commits to strengthening relationships with stakeholders and communities within the area it serves, recognizing that “communities” extends beyond geographical areas and includes a broad range of diversity as a core part of our mission.

TAF commits to working with artists, organizations and communities, especially those who are marginalized by our society, centering them as the agents of creating the community where everyone can live and thrive–a world where Black Lives Matter and No Body is Disposable. We commit to providing access to the arts to our community members and value the variety of experiences that have formed our community members.

To this end, TAF believes in the importance of developing and utilizing strategies that champion diversity, pursue equity, foster inclusion, and ensure accessibility, especially for those who are underserved. We apply this by holding ourselves accountable through intentionally and continuously reviewing our organizational structure, policies, operational practices, fundraising, programming, and services for equity and diverse representation. Where there is under-representation, we will actively reach out to communities and develop strategies for elevating their voices and cultural representations. We believe that by embracing our differences, we enhance our work, the arts sector, our communities, and the world.

Regional Advisory Council Membership Information

Purpose of the Regional Advisory Council
The Regional Advisory Council serves in an advisory capacity to the Tippecanoe Arts Federation on matters that affect planning, delivery, and evaluation of the four core services: cultural planning, grants making and grants management, information and referral, and technical assistance.

In forming recommendations for the Tippecanoe Arts Federation (TAF) board, the advisory council will consider the needs of the region as a whole and the resources of the RAP available to meet those needs. The vision is that arts organizations will have better access to services at the regional level, and individuals will have better access to the arts at the community level.

Membership
The council consists of a group of citizens with expertise and interest in the arts, non-profit management, and/or community development.  The council is composed of one voting representative from each of the counties in the region.  Non-voting members include a TAF Board Member and the TAF CEO.

Terms of Service
Council members serve three year terms.

Duties and Responsibilities
The council members will, at a minimum, carry out the following duties:

• Represent their county’s interests with regard to the general well-being of the arts and culture of the entire fourteen-county region
• Assist in cultural needs assessment
• Suggest revisions to regional services programs based on needs assessment
• Review and approve grant guidelines, funding formula, and review criteria and process

Attendance
The RAC meets on a quarterly basis in the months of March, June, September, and December.

Open Seats
Interested persons may apply to serve as RAC members by contacting tetial@tippecanoearts.org