Diversity, equity + inclusion
At the College of Music, we’re committed to expanding and deepening a culture of belonging and inclusivity for all.
Higher education and the arts are beacons of progress in times of social change, and the College of Music is poised to contribute to that journey. Our college community is committed to expanding and deepening our collective approach to active allyship with an emphasis on racial equity and justice.
We’re making strides, but we know we must do much more. We invite you to get involved with the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives ... and check back often.
Our work
Inclusive excellence
As we continue to grow our efforts around DEI at the College of Music, five task forces prepared recommendations—re: curriculum, co-curricular programming, concert repertoire/programming, faculty hiring and student recruitment—for improving and expanding our commitment to inclusive excellence within our college. This work resulted from the combined efforts of faculty, staff, students and community members. Currently, the College of Music’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Accountability (DEIA) Committee is working to facilitate and implement the recommendations made by the task forces.
Questions? Contact DEI Director Alexis McClain.
Join us!
- Explore upcoming Diverse Musicians’ Alliance (DiMA) activities + events.
- Tea + Equity: All students, staff and faculty are invited to join members of the College of Music's Diversity Committee for community connection—tea and cookies will be served! Grusin Lobby, 4-5 p.m. on Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 (together with our Entrepreneurship Center for Music).
ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Land Acknowledgment
The ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ, Colorado’s flagship university, honors and recognizes the many contributions of Indigenous peoples in our state. CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute and many other Native American nations. Their forced removal from these territories has caused devastating and lasting impacts. While the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ can never undo or rectify the devastation wrought on Indigenous peoples, we commit to improving and enhancing engagement with Indigenous peoples and issues locally and globally. Full CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ land acknowledgment.
Inclusive excellence
The Diverse Musicians’ Alliance promotes the diversity of music, ideas and underrepresented identities at the College of Music.
Our non-Western and cross-genre music ensembles—open to both music majors and non-music majors—explore West African Highlife, Japanese, Gamelan and Latin American traditions, and more.
The College of Music’s Persevering Legacy project—March 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Chamber Hall (S102)—champions a unique, catalytic collaboration that elevates the stories of women composers, aligning classical music with social activism. An annual spring performance features College of Music students performing works by women composers including those from historically marginalized groups.
DEI resources
BIPOC Composers Project (in partnership with University Libraries)
The University Library requests for this multi-year project that seeks to expand a collection of circulating scores by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other people of color)​ composers.
The Ritual Arts Pedagogy Lab (RAP LAB) supports CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ BIPOC musicians who revel in the beauty of community and creation through hip-hop. Learn more, including regular jam seshes.
Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Advancing DEI at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is not the responsibility of a single campus unit, but of the entire campus community. Our collaborative work must form a solid foundation for all we do, including teaching, research, development, leadership, mentorship, supervision, innovation and service.
Office of Diversity, Equity + Community Engagement
Center for Inclusion + Social Change
Providing high-impact, transformational community-building and educational programs to the CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ community, and to nurture leaders grounded in the core concepts of intersectional identity development, diversity, equity and social justice.
Diversity + Inclusion in Research + Innovation
Diversity programming + support
Explore CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s campus-level resources and support for diverse individuals.
(University Libraries)
Read, watch, listen, act, teach, reflect: anti-racism learning + discussion groups, events and related efforts on campus.
Networking + communities
Get connected with groups in different areas of campus.
Crowdsourced community resources
View crowdsourced listings of ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ-area community resources, including financial resources for students, food and housing assistance, health and wellness, and support for international students, LGBTQIA+, persons of color, persons with disabilities and women in academia.