Community Guidelines
Welcome!
OPEN hosts public and private events in spaces intended to be safe and welcoming to all. Our Guidelines help ensure everyone has a great time. This document does not cover exhibition submissions or questions about curation--this leans closer to a Code of Conduct.
These Guidelines apply to all spaces OPEN events are held in, be it our primary location at 50 Sims Ave in Providence, at partner venues, online, or anywhere else. Any person who violates the guidelines below may be sanctioned or expelled from these spaces at the discretion of OPEN and in some cases, our community partners.
We invite all those who participate in our spaces to improve this document, and to email OPEN’s founder Ben Sisto (ben.sisto@gmail.com) with any suggestions or feedback. In advance, thank you for your time and thoughts.
OPEN Exists on Stolen Land
OPEN exists on stolen Pokanoket, Narragansett and Wampanoag land. For those who are settlers, we must acknowledge the stolen lives and the ongoing struggle of Indigenous people in the face of American imperialism. OPEN suggests making a donation to, visiting, and learning from Tomaquag Museum.
Hard Nos
OPEN recognizes that identities are multifaceted and intersectional. We do not tolerate discrimination, hate, or harassment of anyone in any form. No violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person. No sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, ableist, fat shaming, or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language. No personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.
No inappropriate physical contact. No unwelcome sexual attention. This includes sexualized comments or jokes, inappropriate touching, groping, and sexual advances. No deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in person). No “one-upping” or uninvited interruptions. No advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Do your absolute best to not-call the police and seek to escalate conflicts in safe, respectful ways.
Consent, Conflict, and Accountability
Respect peoples’ identities. “Ask, don’t assume” is a good mantra around names and pronouns. If you’re white, don’t ask non-white people where they were born. Even if you are genuinely curious about someone’s life story, be aware of how this inquiry may be heard by someone experiencing violence and threats within the current white supremacist social / political order.
When conflicts arise, remember that while every situation is different, looking to practices of restorative justice, deescalation, and healing is the way to go. If need be, just walk away. If helpful, talk to someone who works at/for OPEN. If the person causing you discomfort works for OPEN, inform a community member you trust. Always try to find resolutions without involving police. Take ownership of your own mistakes; listen, apologize, and work to be better.
Consent must be prioritized across all our spaces, physical and digital. Ask permission before photographing/recording/tagging a specific person. Respect boundaries.
OPEN encourages full participation by all present, which includes someone intentionally not-participating in a thing. Just try to be aware of space, where others may want to be in space. Consider your volume, if you’re taking up all the air, etc.
On Documentation
People attending our events acknowledge that said events are often photographed. By attending, you are potentially going to end up in some wide shots that are shared on physical and digital platforms. If a photo is taken and you are uncomfortable with it, our photographers are instructed in advance to defer to patrons for consent. You are encouraged to speak with them!
Some spaces, such as our primary home at 50 Sims Ave, have camera-based security systems operated by the building’s landlords. We do not have the ability to turn the system off or block cameras.
Physical Accessibility
OPEN will only produce events in locations that are physically accessible to the largest number of people possible. Our main space at 50 Sims is on the ground floor with no stairs. There are accessible restrooms directly behind the main gallery space. Partner event spaces may include the Providence Public Library, a local brewery, a museum, school, etc. While we can’t make hard guarantees, OPEN will always seek to ensure they are accessible as well.
When you attend an OPEN event, please keep clear of doorways and paths of access. Offer your seat to someone in need. Do your part as a community member to help your neighbors have great art experiences!
If you attend an OPEN event and find difficulty physically accessing space, please reach out and tell us about it! Email Ben Sisto via ben.sisto@gmail.com.
Age Restrictions
OPEN is all-ages in the sense that minors under 18, accompanied by their parents / guardians, are welcome to attend events and view exhibitions. Parents and guardians who bring minors to events do so knowing that works on view, conversations held, and concepts present may not be appropriate (whatever that means to you) for all ages. Some events have cash bars. We might be playing uncensored music. It’s your call as a parent to parent as you see fit.
In some cases, an OPEN event may be specifically 16+, 18+, 21+ or 65+. It varies event to event and while we strive to be as open and accessible as possible, the nature of some work occasionally requires thoughtful limitations. We will always share this information as part of marketing materials. Check our website before attending to ensure everyone in your party can.
Alcohol Policy
OPEN occasionally partners with a 3rd party catering company to provide beverages-with and without alcohol-at select events such as opening receptions. These companies are fully insured and TIPS certified. Both OPEN and our partners reserve the right to deny service to any individual who appears to be intoxicated, or in any situation where the serving of alcohol may put the safety of anyone in our community at risk. There is a HARD ZERO TOLERANCE policy for outside alcohol. You, and everyone in your party, will be immediately asked to leave.
General Health and Wellness
Our Covid / similar protocol is based on consent, honesty, communication, and disclosure. By working in an OPEN space, you attest that you are not ill, and that if you have minor cold or flu-like symptoms you will take actions, such as mask-wearing, to prevent the spread of infections. If bringing guests or visitors to the studio, be sure to inform them of this agreement. This protocol is not intended to be dictatorial or a mandate; it is a guide for making decisions about safety when sharing the space.
Acknowledgements
OPEN’s Guidelines are based, in part, on that of our neighbors at queer.archive.work (QAW, 2021). QAW has granted us permission to do so, and in turn we made a modest donation in thanks. Their document was adapted, in part, from BUFU (By Us For Us)’s Community Agreements and the School for Poetic Computation’s Code of Conduct.