OF/BY/FOR ALL is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering institutions to be representative of their communities, co-created by them, and welcoming to them. Our Change Network program empowers and guides organizations of all sizes and sectors in creating inclusive spaces where people from all walks of life can feel a sense of belonging. In short, we help civic and cultural institutions foster progress, equity, and inclusivity within communities through a collaborative and supportive network of like-minded groups.
Participating members have the opportunity to challenge existing institutional systems, transform their practices, and build stronger relationships with the communities they serve. By taking concrete action and putting words into practice, they can create true and meaningful change.
Throughout its history, the Change Network has included 182 organizations from 20 different countries and 28 sectors. As we near the end of 2023, we are thrilled to introduce this year’s last cohort of Change Network members. These organizations have demonstrated their commitment to becoming more inclusive, equitable, and relevant. So without further ado, let us meet each of these stellar new members and celebrate the start of their transformative change journey!
New Member Roll Call
Africa in Motion
Africa in Motion (AiM) is an annual African film festival taking place in Scotland, that delivers film screenings and complementary events. AiM has established itself as a major annual event within the Scottish cultural calendar, whilst also maintaining an international profile as one of the leading African film platforms. The festival caters to a varied and diverse audience from all over Scotland, the UK and further afield.
The organization envisions a world where African and Black diaspora artists are supported wholly with all the resources they need to experiment and forge their visionary work. They believe that their stories matter and have the power to transform the world.
AiM joins the Change Network with the goal to create a space where imagination thrives and where the community feels hopeful, inspired, and connected. Elizabeth Chege, Festival Director of Africa in Motion, believes in the power of community-driven vision-making and is excited to be part of a network that shares this commitment as her organization’s team champion. Through our program, Africa in Motion aims to further empower communities, amplify diverse voices, and foster a sense of belonging.
Elizabeth vulnerably shared with us that “It has been a challenge to start an executive role for the first time in my life, during the ongoing difficulties of the pandemic, while being the sole year-round employee for the past 2 years. I'm seeking space and a peer network where I can once again feel hopeful, less lonely and inspired. Discovering OF/BY/FOR ALL has re-awakened my imagination in a way that other programmes have not. I believe this is due to your commitment to vision-making that is rooted in community and practical support.”
These words resonate deeply with us, as we know that many organizational leaders often feel this sense of isolation. At OF/BY/FOR ALL, we are dedicated to creating environments where all communities feel a sense of belonging and we are excited to provide our members with this experience as well. We are thrilled to have Africa in Motion on this transformative journey as they continue to empower communities, amplify diverse voices, and foster a deeper connection with their audiences.
Chicago History Museum
Next up is the Chicago History Museum, a renowned institution that preserves and showcases the rich history and culture of Chicago. CHM’s mission is to serve as the primary destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement to connect people to Chicago’s history and each other. This is the foundation of the Museum’s programs and events, exhibitions, educational initiatives, publications, and collecting activities that touch the lives of all Chicagoans.
In her Change Network application, Thema McDonald, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, shared that the museum aims to amplify community voices, formalize community engagement processes, and foster strategic partnerships. With a focus on creating a museum that truly belongs to all communities, they are eager to leverage the resources and support provided by the Change Network. Through their participation, the museum seeks to enhance its community engagement efforts, ensure inclusivity in its programming, and strengthen its relationships with diverse communities.
"We aim to amplify community voices in our work, formalize our community engagement process, attract a diverse audience, and invest in and nurture strategic partnerships. We are striving to create an environment where all communities feel CHM is their museum. CHM needs a framework to accomplish this ambitious plan."
This is a powerful and ambitious plan that we wholeheartedly support. We understand the importance of creating an environment where all communities feel a sense of ownership and belonging in cultural institutions. This is why we are excited to have the Chicago History Museum as part of the Change Network.
Thema's words greatly align with our mission and we commend the Chicago History Museum for striving to create an environment where all communities feel that the museum truly belongs to them. At OF/BY/FOR ALL, we believe that true progress and equity can only be achieved when organizations actively listen, respond, and support historically marginalized voices. By participating in the Change Network, the Chicago History Museum is taking a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and creating enriching experiences for diverse communities.
City of Eugene Cultural Services
Cultural Services, a division of the City of Eugene, plays a vital role in promoting cultural experiences and supporting local artists. With a mission to bring fun, accessible, and relevant arts and culture programs to all residents, they collaborate with over 50 local community groups and artists annually, serving more than 9,000 residents. Their efforts also contribute to downtown revitalization by partnering with downtown merchants to bring opportunities for connection, creativity, and entertainment. By joining the Change Network, the City of Eugene Cultural Services division aims to cultivate a stronger, more creative, and resilient community through thoughtful and cohesive community engagement.
Claire Schechtman, Project Coordinator at the City of Eugene Cultural Services, hopes to strengthen community engagement efforts, reduce barriers, and facilitate enriching artistic experiences for diverse communities in Eugene. Through their involvement in the Change Network, they aim to foster a more inclusive and equitable community by actively listening to marginalized voices, providing resources, and creating meaningful connections.
"We recognize that as a City entity that focuses on cultural programming, supporting cultural producers, and artists, we have a responsibility to serve, listen, and respond to historically marginalized voices and their needs. We strive to create opportunities and resources, reduce barriers, and facilitate enriching artistic experiences. We hope by joining this cohort, we are able to work more cohesively across the Division to ensure our community engagement is thoughtful, cohesive and not overly taxing on our small, but growing diverse communities," said Claire.
We are honored to have the City of Eugene Cultural Services as part of the Change Network and to support their journey towards creating a stronger, more creative, and resilient community. We are excited to work with Claire and her team to build a more inclusive and equitable future for Eugene together through this Change Network cohort.
Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary is a historic landmark and museum that celebrates the history and culture of Calgary. It exists on a historically layered site that, for some, evokes a heroic sense of Canadian nationalism; for others, a reminder of the harmful and ongoing impacts of colonization. Today it is a place of education, exchange and social gathering.
Through their membership in the Change Network Fort Calgary aims to challenge traditional museum and colonial community engagement practices, and foster a more equitable museum experience. Their participation offers an opportunity for them to collaborate more effectively with their community and drive systematic positive change.
Lindsie Bruns, the organization’s Director of Creative Experience shared, “Fort Calgary is going through a significant transformation right now, with new leadership, new board members, significant community engagement and a rebranding in progress. Participation in the Change Network has come at a perfect time as we re-examine our role in the community. We are so grateful for the chance to learn new organizational processes which will help us reach beyond colonial museum practices and strive for a more equitable experience for our staff, collaborators, and visitors.”
We appreciate this sense of openness in acknowledging the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Fort Calgary’s commitment to challenge traditional practices and embrace a new way of building community relationships is truly commendable.
Inspiring Change and Building a Better Future
We lift up and honor these new members of the Change Network for their commitment to progress, equity, inclusivity, and community engagement. Together, they represent a collective force for positive change and serve as role models for other organizations that strive to create a more inclusive and equitable world.
We invite other like-minded organizations to join us in this journey. Through collaboration, shared learning, and support, we can collectively build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
For more information about the Change Network and how to get involved, visit the OF/BY/FOR ALL website.