Acknowledgment, Inclusion and Equity
"Unity" public art installation, at the UB Student Union.
Central to Our Mission
In the Department of Art, diversity, inclusion and equity are central to our mission. Art as a practice represents, reflects, critiques and dreams for a culture. It is a discipline of creativity, criticality and expression. By its nature, art balances the examination of culture through humility and critical inquiry. It is with self-awareness and acknowledgement of diverse factions of intersectional identities, that we approach the making and scholarship of contemporary art through accountable virtues.
We are diligent to recognize that cultural and discriminatory bias has been historically and systematically ingrained in the fabric of society and its cultural and educational institutions, including our own. It is with this understanding that we dedicate ourselves to dismantling these inequities and injustices both internally and externally, striving for equitable inclusion for everyone. Today and every day, we endeavor to foster a respectful and safe environment for all students, staff, and faculty, regardless of race, color, ability, age, gender, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, political belief, marital status, veteran status, immigration status, and religion.
We respectfully recognize that University at Buffalo’s location is within the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee people, and that the present is always built on the past, which must be continually acknowledged.
We are all still reeling from the shock and anger of Saturday’s racially motivated hate crime against members of our Black community. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones, and everyone in our community who is experiencing grief in this moment. It is difficult to put these feelings into words.
We strongly stand in solidarity with our friends and neighbors working on the front-lines of racial justice. As members of a university community -- educators, scholars, artists -- we are committed to building cross-cultural understanding and empathy across our communities. We value research and critical inquiry alongside listening, engaging and respect for all people as part of our learning process.
In this difficult time, we encourage you to reach out to your professors and staff for support if you are feeling stress, anxiety or just need to talk. In addition, UB’s Counseling Services are available for help and guidance and UB’s Intercultural and Diversity Center offers a safe space for all students.
Furthermore Theresa McCarthy and Luis Colón, Associate Deans for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences, will host a student centered community discussion from 12-1:30pm today (05/17/22) via Zoom, see links below. This session will hold space for College of Arts and Sciences community members grappling with the impact of last weekend’s harrowing tragedy in our community. It is open to all students, faculty and staff in the College of Arts and Sciences and facilitated by UB Counseling Services experts, Frankie Kraft and Alison Smith. The Zoom information is below.
This senseless tragedy impacts us all, and in order to move forward and stay strong please take care of yourselves and each other.
In solidarity
Stephanie Rothenberg, Chair
Department of Art
Reinhard Reitzenstein, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Art
Matt Kenyon, Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Art
Dear Department of Art community,
The UB student group “Young Americans for Freedom” has invited Michael Knowles, a controversial political commentator, to speak on campus this Thursday night in Slee Hall at 7 pm.
While the Department of Art supports the right to free speech, and the respectful exchange of ideas from diverse perspectives, we are committed to the principles of social justice and ensuring a safe and welcoming community for all.
The Faculty and Staff of the Department of Art stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community.
Discrimination and hate have no place in oursociety or on our campus.
We realize this is a difficult time and encourage you to reach out to your professors and staff for support if you are feeling stress, anxiety or just need to talk.
Below are some links from the UB community and local news:
https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2023/03/018.html
https://www.buffalo.edu/genderin.html
Please take care and be safe!