Members of the Memphis Performing Arts Community

The intention of this survey is to generate greater clarity on who is out there making the Memphis performing arts sector work, and what they need to make it work better. This includes not only the commonly associated roles of theatres, venues, and actors but also: directors, technical staff, musicians, music directors, college students, choreographers, dancers, and educators/teaching artists in the performing arts. We want to get this survey to the big theatres and the small studios, the liturgical theatres and educational spaces.

We need and value suggestions from everyone on how can we work towards safer spaces as well as creating more equitable and inclusive practices. The survey will help us assess community needs and determine where to direct our efforts for our upcoming community-wide weekend of action facilitated by Kaisha Johnson from Women of Color in The Arts.  Everyone's input and participation will be welcome at this event.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. We appreciate your input and value your contributions to the cultural vitality of Memphis.

We would like to publicly thank the following collective of volunteers that made this survey possible by providing help and feedback with content creation, editing and tech support: Louisa Koeppel, Neile Tubergen, Rebecca Edwards, Dorian Spears, Emily Marks, Tracey Zerwig Ford, Dr. Joy Brooke Fairfield, Sarah Rushakoff, Lar’Juanette Williams and Julia Hinson

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* 1. How many years have you worked in the Memphis performing arts community?

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* 2. Which of these best describes your work during a typical year? Choose as many as you like.

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* 3. How do you make your living in the performing arts?

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* 4. Please select a pay range of what you make per year in Memphis's performing arts sector.

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* 5. Do you see yourself continuing to make work in Memphis for next 5 years?

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* 6. 10 years?

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* 7. Why or why not? Please include specific factors that influence your outlook.

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* 8. If you are considering leaving the city or the performing arts sector, what could keep you here?

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* 9. What Memphis Area performance venues and companies have you worked with this past year? Please include other locations such as Desoto County, Collierville, Bartlett, West Memphis, Germantown, Arlington, Frayser, Whitehaven, South Memphis and elsewhere in Shelby County.

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* 10. How many performing arts shows do you work on per year on average, in any role?

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* 11. How many hours in an average week do you devote to your craft in the performing arts?

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* 12. In your experience, what is a significant strength of the Memphis performing arts community?

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* 13. What is a significant weakness?

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* 14. What is an opportunity?

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* 15. What do you see as a threat or danger in our arts community?

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* 16. Brainstorm one or two sentences about what the most equitable performing arts community would look like in Memphis.

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* 17. What is one significant practice or policy that would make you and your performing arts colleagues feel supported and protected?

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* 18. What are 3 principles you would like to see in a community-wide code of ethics for performing arts in Memphis?
Example: "I’d like to see a commitment to open auditions and color conscious casting" or "I’d like a fair and just process for performers to report harassment without repercussions."

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* 19. What policies and/or practices addressing equity and safety have been communicated to you by performing arts organizations you have worked with?

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* 20. How did the organization inform you that these practices were in place and at your disposal? Please feel free to explain in the space provided.

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* 21. What tools would you use if local organizations provided them?

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* 22. What type of institution do you work for?

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* 23. What other advocacy or support would you like to see implemented in the Memphis Performing Arts Community?

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* 24. I am a/n… (Please check all that apply)

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* 25. Did you choose any of the following above? Producer, Dept Chair, Arts Administrator, Venue Manager, Stage Manager, Director, Board Member

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