Model Policy on Ethical Programming and Partnerships
for Cultural Institutions

Theater Workers for a Ceasefire encourages theater and performance organizations in the US to adopt the Model Policy on Ethical Programming and Partnerships for Cultural Institutions, developed by the Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PPAN). 

For more than two decades, Palestinian civil society has called upon cultural workers and cultural organizations to, at minimum, “do no harm” and end the complicity of their institutions in Israel’s crimes. Although cultural institutions are generally expected to adopt accessibility, sustainability, anti-racist and anti-discrimination policies, complicity in violations of human rights and international law remain normalized and tolerated. 

This policy represents the baseline moral obligation for institutions to demonstrate a consistent, universalist commitment to human rights, upon which deeper solidarity can be built.

Below, find the language you can use to incorporate the Model Policy on Ethical Programming and Partnerships framework. 

This cultural institution commits to uphold universal principles of human rights and international law, to refrain from doing or contributing to undue harm, and to ensure basic ethical standards.

Based on this:

Programming: This institution will not include in its programming artists, theater companies / organizations, or plays / productions that are produced by entities that are verifiably complicit in, advocate for, or whitewash grave violations of international law (such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide), racism or racial violence.

Sponsorship & Funding: This institution will not accept sponsorship/partnership or other forms of funding from individuals, corporations or other entities that are verifiably complicit in, advocating for, or whitewash grave violations of international law (such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide), racism or racial violence.