Acceptance & Inclusion Statement

Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) Statements
The following statements have been taken directly from the MACC website.
Michigan Arts and Culture Council believes that arts, culture and creativity are essential to leading a full and productive life.

The Council believes it is the right of every person in the State of Michigan to have equal access to the programs and services of the Council without regard to geographical boundaries, occupation, ability, recreation, religion, ethnicity, belief, sexual orientation.

The Council recognizes the need for public support of the arts and understands the responsibility that accompanies the allocation of public funds. In recognition of that responsibility, the Council is committed to uphold and maintain the highest standards and to encourage the best in all fields.

The Council is conscious of the cultural pluralism of our ever-changing society. The Council realizes that freedom of expression is at the core of our social, cultural and political heritage, and rejects attempts to control or censor the arts and supports freedom of thought, imagination and inquiry.

Tecumseh Center for the Arts Statement
Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) strives to create and maintain a judgement free environment for people of all backgrounds to interact with the community and enjoy the arts and entertainment offered on the TCA stage and in other areas of the building. As a Department of the City of Tecumseh and as a home to the arts community in Lenawee County, we are committed to providing an accepting and inclusive venue.

TCA will not tolerate any prejudiced behavior - behavior that is damaging, intolerant or puts anyone at a disadvantage. This includes, but is not limited to, racism, national origin discrimination, classism, sexism, sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination, ableism, and political and religious discrimination.

Renowned actor, director, and teacher Stella Adler stated, “The word theatre comes from the Greeks. It means the seeing place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social situation.” Works of art displayed and presented at Tecumseh Center for the Arts may well reflect the existence of discrimination and prejudice, but not condone or encourage it in any way. The TCA also agrees with American actor Willem Defoe in that “Great theatre,” and the arts in general, “is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to.”

TCA’s Response to Types of Discrimination

Racism & National Origin Discrimination
People of all races, ethnicities, nationalities and backgrounds are welcome at the theater. It is through our shared unique perspectives and varied backgrounds that we are able to understand the world and each other more clearly – and are better for it. Comments and behaviors that disparage any races or groups of people, or single anyone out because of their ethnicity or nationality will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, staff, performers, renters, and patrons.

Classism
Individuals from all social classes are welcome at the theater. TCA offers arts entertainment performances at various price points and strives to ensure ticket prices are affordable for individuals and families. The average ticket price for TCA sponsored performance during the 2019-2020 Season was $18, with several performance ticket prices being free, $5, or $10. Discounts are available for seniors, youth and military members for most TCA performances. Vouchers for free tickets are also regularly given away through local radio stations, including WLEN 103.9 fm and WABJ am 1490. Discrimination against anyone because of their social class will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, staff, performers, renters, and patrons.

Sexism
Theater and the arts are known for questioning gender roles and stereotypes. Additionally, male roles have been played by women and female roles have been played by men on stages across the world and throughout history, including on the TCA stage. The TCA will not tolerate prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination against anyone on the basis of sex. This includes, but is not limited to, staff, performers, renters, and patrons.

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Discrimination
Theater and the arts have historically been supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community. Tecumseh Center for the Arts echoes this support. The theater advocates honesty, individuality, and freedom of expression. The TCA will not stifle or suppress anyone from expressing who they are and will not allow anyone at the theater to be discriminated against because of who they are. This includes, but is not limited to, staff, performers, renters, and patrons.

Ableism
The TCA strives to be accessible to all people, regardless of ability. The TCA will not tolerate discrimination in favor of able-bodied persons. This includes, but is not limited to, staff, performers, renters, and patrons.

Three (3) handicap parking spaces are provided in both the North and South TCA parking lots. Patrons can enter the building through an automatic handicap door on the left side of the main entrance. Once inside the theater, there is one level of seating (no balcony) available to patrons and seating is accessed via a gradually downward sloping incline.

Three (3) wheelchair spaces are provided in the Left Section and three (3) in the Right Section, one at the end of Rows A, B, and C. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), three (3) seats next to each of these spaces are held for patrons accompanying a patron using a wheelchair. Wheelchair spaces are also available at the back of the Left and Right Sections, against the back wall. If patrons in wheelchairs need access to the stage or green room for special events or meet and greet opportunities, they may access these areas via a ramp at the back of the building. Performers using wheelchairs can also access the TCA stage and Green Room via the aforementioned ramp.

For patrons that are hard of hearing, the TCA has one (1) assisted listening device with earphones available. Patrons wanting to use said devices should inquire at the Box Office and may be asked for their name, phone number, or ticket number. Please return device to the Box Office or to TCA staff following the performance.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
TCA welcomes individuals that have challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. TCA staff is willing to accommodate such individuals and their families so that each performance can be enjoyed to their fullest extent. This includes, but is not limited to, seating along the back wall that allows easy access to the lobby if they become overstimulated and seating in the lobby to watch the performance on the TCA screen in the lobby. The TCA will not tolerate discrimination against anyone with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This includes, but is not limited to, staff, performers, renters, and patrons.

Political Discrimination
Tecumseh Center for the Arts is not affiliated with any political party and will not endorse, support, or promote any political parties, figures, candidates, or ideologies. However, the theater will not discriminate against any person or renting organization based on their political views. The theater has been rented by outside organizations for events such a political forums, debates, and inaugural viewings and is used by the City of Tecumseh as a voting precinct. Discrimination against patrons, staff, or performers based on their political affiliations will not be tolerated. Political views forced upon others as well as political views that threaten anyone will likewise not be tolerated (please see Hate Speech below).

Religious Discrimination
Tecumseh Center for the Arts does not have a religious affiliation and will not promote religious views or beliefs. However, the theater will not discriminate against any person or renting organization based on their religious views. Religious organizations are allowed to rent the facility. Past religious organization renters include, but are not limited to, Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee, Neighbors of Hope, New Song Community Church, and Tecumseh Seventh-day Adventist Church. Discrimination against patrons, staff, or performers based on their religious views will not be tolerated. Religious views forced upon others as well as religious views that threaten anyone will likewise not be tolerated (please see Hate Speech below).

Hate Speech
Americans enjoy the privilege of freedom of speech. However, freedom of speech does not include speech that threatens, incites, or perpetuates violence against any person based on race, nationality, class, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, abilities, disabilities, political views, or religious views.

The TCA will not tolerate abusive or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice against a particular person or group. This includes, but is not limited to, staff, performers, renters, and patrons.
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Conclusion

TCA echoes the sentiments of the Michigan Arts & Culture Council (MACC) in that our performances are “rooted in equity, access and inclusion, because all should have the opportunity to engage in programming and feel welcomed.”

Any patron seeking to discriminate against an individual, block them from attending a performance, or making them feel unwanted will be addressed by TCA staff. Depending on the severity and if they continue any of these behaviors, they will be asked to leave the premises. As a department of the City of Tecumseh, TCA staff is supported in this by the City Manager and the Police Department of Tecumseh.