As part of our ongoing commitment to building a supportive community, Side Door is introducing a certification program for Hosts who are practicing as Safer Spaces.
The goal of this program is to help artists who prioritize these kinds of spaces and elevate hosts who are doing the important work to ensure their spaces are accessible and welcoming for people of color, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, people with varying abilities and health needs, and more.
This program works to help foster safer spaces on the Side Door platform, in the shows, on the team, and in the live performance industry. The goal is to make it easier for artists to find safe, trusted spaces to play in and perform for their communities.
The Safer Spaces Program is completed in 3 Steps:
A Program for Existing (and Future) Side Door Hosts
Step 1. Info Gathering
Fill out a questionnaire, tell us about yourself, your performance space, and how you practice a safer space for your shows.
Step 2. One-on-One Meeting
Chat with a member of the Side Door team to review aspects of the program, your space, and potential bookings.
Step 3. Make it Offical
Sign an agreement form, update your profile with relevant information, and start connecting!
How it Works
Hosts who successfully complete the program will receive a Safer Spaces Badge on their profile and be searchable in the platform by Show Call
Artists will be able to filter by Hosts who have this badge
The badge will allow artists in need to connect with Hosts practicing the principles of safer spaces
Safer Spaces Hosts will be featured by Side Door through promo to encourage transparency and community.
Staying Accountable to the Community
In order to ensure Safer Spaces remain so, the Side Door team will be checking in regularly. Artists who perform in Safer Spaces and audiences who attend shows in these spaces will be consulted post-show for feedback on whether the space met the expectations of the program laid out by the Host. Ideally, this process of checking in keeps things transparent. Hosts may also wish to share their email address with ticketholders in order to be open for dialogue pre-show and post-show.
What is a Safer Space?
While recognizing that what makes a safer space might mean different things to different people, the program will focus on the general principles of safer spaces, plus the cornerstones of the Side Door Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, and the Side Door Code of Conduct. The program draws on teachings from pioneers in the areas of accessibility, anti-racism, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, disability advocacy, body positivity, and more.
Thus far, our policy has been for all hosts and artists on Side Door to promote and maintain a positive and equitable atmosphere and that all shows and events take place in supportive, non-threatening environments. We have asked all attendees, performers, hosts, moderators, presenters, staff, and service providers to act with respect for equity and inclusivity. This will remain the case for all Side Door shows, even those without a safer spaces badge.
We want to hear from you!
The program will continue to evolve as the community grows and as feedback is collected. As the needs of artists and audiences continue to change - we hope this process is an open dialogue led and informed by the Side Door community. We invite you to contribute your ideas and experiences regarding safer spaces. In your opinion, what makes you feel safe in a space where a live performance is taking place? We are aiming to learn and expand from your feedback in order for the Side Door community to support people safely. This way, we can continue to do what we love to do – put on nice shows with nice people in welcoming spaces.