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For the time being, all of these sessions are being held virtually via Zoom. For the online sessions, A.R.T./New York has tailored some of the Sexual Harassment Prevention Training curriculum to address the unique circumstances of working remotely. 

For more information about attending a virtual workshop at A.R.T./New York, read our Participation Guide.

At A.R.T./New York, we understand how unique working in theatre is—especially when it comes to creating safe and protected workplaces free from harassment and abuses of power. That’s why we’re offering comprehensive sexual harassment prevention training that not only meets the recently updated city and state requirements, but also specifically addresses the complexities and nuances of making theatre in a sometimes confusing but always exciting field.

This training, while it is intended to meet government requirements, is designed to talk about sexual harassment prevention as a communal responsibility. We encourage people to participate not only on behalf of an organization, but also as individuals who are crucial to the vitality of the theatre ecosystem (especially for folx who freelance or contract independently outside of an organization). Similarly, we want participants to approach this training as a personal commitment to help create safer work environments—acknowledging their involvement in larger, ongoing work around shaping our culture—and not simply as an item to cross off on an annual to-do list. 

By moving the conversation beyond just liability and risk, we can steer our energy to lifting up affirmative consent, accountability, and liberation. This curriculum was developed in conjunction with lawyers, administrators, artists, facilitators, social justice activists, arts advocates, queer folx, disabled folx, people of color, women of color, trans/gender nonconforming/nonbinary folx, and many others. Intersectionality is key to deeply understanding this work—both in identity, and in roles and responsibilities—and, by creating strategies to actively build and exercise respect for all collaborators, we are able to create better art and safer workplaces. 

Organizations interested in participating in this training should have sexual harassment prevention policies and reporting structures already in place. This prevention training provides individual employees and contractors with information on an Employer's responsibility, but is not intended to educate organizational leadership or HR about developing company policies. If you are responsible for writing/adapting these policies for your organization, please feel free to reach out to A.R.T./New York for resources.

New laws require that employers provide training annually to all employees. By offering this service to freelance artists and technicians, we hope to help alleviate the burden for any company who wishes to recognize A.R.T./New York's training within their organization. Employers may contact us to verify if a new hire has already attended the training within the past 12 months.

For more information about this program, please contact Senior Manager of Programs David E. Shane at [email protected].

Dates

Trainings will be offered year-round and additional dates will be announced on a quarterly basis. 

Rates

Accessibility

All of A.R.T./New York's online programming is held via Zoom, a video conferencing platform that is accessible for people who use screen readers and/or keyboard shortcuts to navigate virtual space.

All A.R.T./New York workshops, roundtables, and trainings feature automated captioning provided by Zoom. ASL interpretation and CART captioning services are available by request; requests must be made at least 5 business days before the event. For requests, accessibility information, or other accommodations please contact Ashley J. Hicks at [email protected]. 

Resources 

Legal Disclaimer

This training seeks to establish a nonbinding set of principles. It reflects A.R.T./New York's ongoing commitment to combat cultures of abuse and empower actors, artists, and all theatre practitioners with control over their bodies on and off stage. Built on the principles of restorative justice, body autonomy, and affirmative consent, this training aims to establish standards in theatre spaces, including theatres that do not have human resource departments or other institutionalized mechanisms to prevent and respond to unsafe environments and harassment. Participation does not constitute a contractual agreement between you and A.R.T./New York. It is not intended, either by its explicit language or by implication, to create any obligation or to confer any right. It is not intended to change any person's legal, employment, or contractual status or relationships. Rather, it is intended as a vehicle by which participants can work to meet New York State and New York City requirements regarding sexual harassment training while simultaneously demonstrating a desire to apply similar standards, preventions, and resolution procedures that are identifiable, reproducible, and shared among a wider theatre community. By participating in A.R.T./New York's training, organizations and individuals express their commitment to shifting the culture of sexual harassment, rather than entering into a legally binding commitment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in the A.R.T./New York training should be construed to prevent a theatre company or producer from affirmatively incorporating the ideas set forth here into their agreements or other documents, however, each participant is subject to their independent legal responsibility in adopting any content from the presentation. This training is developed through on-going conversation and collaboration within the field. It will continue to develop as more practitioners engage with it. A.R.T./New York hereby disclaims all liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.  A.R.T./New York is not responsible for, and makes no representations or warranties about, the content of the presentation, any materials associated with the presentation, or the A.R.T./New York personnel involved in the presentation.