Kirkland Arts Center(Craig Hurd-McKenney)(@churdm)

Artist Statement

Our Vision Where Art Connects Us Our Mission Cultivating Quality Arts Experiences, Connecting Communities, and Increasing Creative Engagement. Our Values Community: Build a collaborative community through partnership and communication. Kindness: Cultivate inclusivity and respect and create a space where everyone feels they belong. Passion: Have the courage and energy to be bold in all our endeavors. Creative Enrichment: Explore artistic growth through lifelong learning. Integrity: Steward the legacy of Kirkland Arts Center and lead with transparency. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement At Kirkland Arts Center, we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering creativity and community through transformative art experiences. Diversity: We celebrate the diversity of our community—encompassing race, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, and background—recognizing that this diversity enriches our artistic endeavors and strengthens our organization. Equity: When it comes to equity, we are deeply committed to identifying and addressing barriers to participation and access. Furthermore, we dedicate ourselves to creating fair and inclusive opportunities that empower all individuals to engage with and contribute to the arts in meaningful ways. Inclusion: We are passionate about fostering an environment where all voices are not only heard but also valued and respected. To that end, we seek and integrate diverse perspectives that challenge and expand our understanding across all organizational aspects. Belonging: At Kirkland Arts, we strongly believe that everyone should feel a sense of belonging within our organization and the broader arts community. We prioritize creating welcoming spaces and experiences, ensuring individuals can fully participate, collaborate, and thrive in our community. Additionally, we strive to empower creativity and connection at every step.