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Sharon Jensen, The Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts
 October 2, 2008 - The Alliance for the Inclusion in the Arts executive director Sharon Jensen works tirelessly with her staff to be an expert advocate and educational resource for full diversity in theatre, film, television, and related media.
Formerly known as the Non-Traditional Casting Project, the Alliance works to promote inclusive hiring practices and standards, diversity in leadership, and balanced portrayals of persons of color and persons with disabilities in the arts. Its current focus is to increase the participation of artists of color and artists with disabilities in the industry. This is accomplished through advocacy with industry professionals, ongoing educational programs, and the development of specific programs to promote more inclusive practices in the industry.
Jensen as creative director works on everything from fund-raising to programming. “From the day I was hired, it’s been so gratifying,” said Jensen. “I’m so fortunate to work toward something I believe in.”
The Alliance also has a disability advocate on staff, Christine Bruno. “Having Christine has made a tremendous difference,” said Jensen. Bruno works with casting directors, assisting them in their search to cast performers with disabilities.
The Alliance’s work on issues of disability has brought it to create Disability in Entertainment and Arts Link, or DEAL. This collective of arts and entertainment professionals is dedicated to the full inclusion of people with disabilities—physical, developmental, intellectual, and sensory—in all sectors of American arts and entertainment.
Jensen knows there’s still a long way to go to achieving these goals, but programs like DEAL will continue to help open people’s minds. “I grew up knowing there’s a world out there,” said Jensen. “My comfort zone is inclusive and diverse.”
To learn more about the Alliance for the Inclusion in the Arts, visit http://www.inclusioninthearts.org/.
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