— Centering choice over compliance – This summer, our Staff and Teaching Artists read and discussed the article When SEL is Used as Another Form of Policing. From that rich discussion came the organization-wide priority of centering choice over compliance in all of our classes to prevent us from reproducing harmful standards and support our participants in living their most authentic, self-determined lives.

— Incorporating aspects of healthy relationships into all of our curricula – This year, we are thrilled to be expanding the Art of Relationships, our residency on consent, healthy relationships, and bodily autonomy, to reach its youngest-ever audience in the Minneapolis Public School district. To further this work, our Staff and Teaching Artists will integrate the core messages of this residency throughout all of our curricula.

— Listen to and amplify the voices of our participants – As many members of our community continue to experience heightened isolation and marginalization during COVID-19, we remain committed to listen to and amplify the voices and experiences of our participants in all of our programming and advocacy work.