The Commons

Growing up, the public library was a place that allowed Polly Carl, Director & Editor of HowlRound: A Center for the Theater Commons, to find belonging and access imagination. This introduction to a commons model is something that s/he’s continued to carry and that influences all that s/he brings as a leader to the organization. The commons model is all about inclusivity. Carl honors and encourages this through her/his work at HowlRound.

Inclusivity is so engrained in the organization, Carl says that the staff must have buy-in to this value or it’s not the place for them to work. Carl and her/his co-leaders at ArtsEmerson talk constantly about values and inclusivity with their staff, encouraging questions and making space for creating understanding around this premise.