Principles of Community and Code of Conduct
Introduction
Framer Framed is a diverse community of artists, team members, volunteers, guests and participants. We recognise diversity as not only in citizenship and national origin, but also in cultural and social background, gender, ethnicity, age, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political preferences and personal values and norms. We strive to build a mutually respectful and equitable community.
Framer Framed takes responsibility for maintaining a positive and safe working environment in which everyone (artists, team members, interns, volunteers, guests and participants) is able to develop her/his/their talents. Fellowship, integrity, equality, respect, compassion, openness and attention to other persons are of paramount importance. Any form of undesirable behaviour, such as sexual or other forms of intimidation, aggression, bullying or discrimination, is unacceptable.
An international public art platform such as Framer Framed is by nature an institution where people from different backgrounds meet and share views, learn from each other and work together. All those who are affiliated with the Framer Framed, as artists, team members, volunteers, guests or participants must ensure that we treat each other with respect, irrespective of origin, religious beliefs, sexual preference, (dis)ability, role or position. It is consequently everybody’s task to actively promote social safety within our community venues – in-person and online – and to contribute in a positive way.
Framer Framed expects every individual who engages in our community – artists, team members, volunteers, guests or participants – to uphold these principles during the time spent at Framer Framed or participating in our community online.
Principles of Community
• We seek to foster open-mindedness, understanding, compassion and inclusiveness among individuals and groups.
• We see diversity as a vital and stimulating source of creativity and innovation for Framer Framed and society in general.
• We are committed to creating and fostering a climate of mutual respect, cooperation and equality and ensuring open dialogue and mutual understanding.
• We value differences as well as commonalities and promote respect in personal interactions.
• We strive to build a community marked by fairness and mutual respect.
Code of conduct
This code of conduct applies to:
• Artists, team members, interns, volunteers, visitors and guests of Framer Framed.
• Other persons working under the responsibility of Framer Framed as a freelancer, interim employee or trainee.
Framer Framed expects everyone who works or participates within Framer Framed – in-person or online – to treat each other in a respectful and fair manner in order to be able to contribute to a pleasant and safe environment. Good fellowship, respect, and attention to one another are part of the regular interaction in the community and we want to provide a safe, pleasant and encouraging working climate. Undesirable behaviour and acts of discrimination, intimidation, harassment or any other conduct that violates our principles of community are not tolerated.
We do not accept or tolerate any form of inappropriate behaviour, especially that which makes any other person feel unsafe or at risk. This includes, but is not limited to: (sexual) harassment, discrimination, aggression, violence and bullying. If it comes to our attention that individuals or groups interact disrespectfully, excluding or harming others, we will take action and we seek to mediate and resolve conflicts that arise from biases in our community (see point 5).
A safe and positive climate requires an active contribution from everyone who works or participates at Framer Framed. Undesirable behaviour should at all times be addressed.
Definitions
The following definitions apply in this Code of Conduct:
• Undesirable behaviour: conduct, action or omission of an action that has physical, psychological or social consequences which are perceived as negative. This includes in any case sexual intimidation, discrimination, aggression, violence and bullying within the Framer Framed and/or Werkplaats Molenwijk venues – in-person or online.
• Intimidation: any form of verbal, non-verbal or physical behaviour with the purpose or effect of compromising the dignity of a person, adversely affecting work performance or creating an unsafe work/studio situation.
• Sexual harassment: any form of verbal, non-verbal or physical behaviour with a sexual connotation with the purpose or effect of compromising the dignity of a person, adversely affecting work performance or creating an unsafe work situation.
• Discrimination: expressing insults or violent action against artists, team members, volunteers and visitors because of their religion, belief, political affiliation, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, marital status, age, (dis)ability or justification, chronic illness or on any other ground.
• Aggression and violence: psychologically, physically or verbally harassing, threatening or attacking a artists, team members, volunteers and visitors.
• Bullying: intimidating behaviour of a structural nature against one or more artists, team members, volunteers and visitors.
Procedure
Wendy Ho is always available to raise concerns or address issues, conflicts or other problems. However, if anyone prefers to meet with other team members to discuss these issues, they are free to contact anyone they feel most comfortable with. Issues or concerns will be taken seriously by all of Framer Framed team members. For the issues or concerns that Framer Framed team members do not have the right expertise for, professional care or guidance will be connected to, when needed.
Framer Framed has an (external) confidential counsellors who can be contacted in relation to cases of undesirable behaviour that they feel unable to share directly with Framer Framed team members.
The role of confidential counsellor is an independent position, with the following tasks:
• Acting as a point of contact who are faced with undesirable behaviour.
• Providing care and support and, if necessary, referral to experts.
• Advising on any steps to be taken.
• Informing about the complaints procedure and the resulting consequences, before any steps are taken.
• At the request of the person who has contacted the confidential advisor, trying to resolve the undesirable situation through mediation.
• Assisting the reporting person at her/his/their request in submitting a complaint or assisting the person to whom the complaint is related in preparing a response to the complaint.
• Giving the directorial team and other relevant sections of the organisation solicited and unsolicited advice in the field of prevention and combating undesirable behaviour.
• Providing information and publicity about one’s own position.
• The registration of reports and an annual issue of an anonymous report to the directorial team on the number and nature of the reports.
When a conflict or case of inappropriate behaviour arises, the following steps will be taken by the relevant parties, including management team, directorial team:
• We will listen to all involved parties.
• We will seek to mediate and resolve conflicts.
• We will take action if it is proven that individuals or groups are interacting disrespectfully, excluding or harming others.
• We will seek professional expertise where necessary.
• If necessary, cases will be discussed and decided on at board level.
• If necessary, we will give a formal (written) warning.
• We will consider sanctions, such as temporary suspensions.
• When there is no other option, we will stop the collaboration. In all of these steps we will respect confidentiality and privacy. We will approach sensitive matters on an individual basis. Cases are not shared within the whole community, unless necessary.