Your organisation has a vision of what it is hoping to achieve through working partnerships and guidelines of ethical processes for engagement. You consider partnerships right at the beginning of every project, whether an exhibition, an event or a workshop. Clear objectives for the partnership are shared and agreed upon by your organisation and external partners. Partnerships not only meet your objectives but also support the broader aims and mission of the partners. You have developed an Audience Engagement Strategy where equity, inclusion and diversity are key elements. Equity, inclusion and diversity are a lived culture within your institution.

Your organisation considers working with a range of partners, not just the ‘usual suspects’. You take time to get to know the partner(s) and to allow an open exchange of ideas. A consulting committee, including partners, is present on every project to help carry it out in an inclusive manner. Partners’ voices are reflected in the strategy of your organisation. You invite them to be part of the governance structure of your organisation and/or consult them about organisational strategy. ‘Critical friend’ visits by partners takes place regularly to evaluate your activities, exhibits and resources from the standpoint of equity and diversity or access how well they would serve their communities. Staff, at all levels of the organisation, participate regularly in external community partner events. You carry out projects that are initiated with or by partners, including projects which represent a different way of working or a new focus for your organisation, that often push you out of your comfort zone. Partnerships are built and nurtured in a regular basis, from conversations, eating together, collaborating, celebrating, supporting their initiatives, through full involvement in a two-way and mutual beneficial relationship.

You develop project plans with partners, whose input is given equal weight to yours. At times, these projects are initiated or suggested by the partners, rather than by yourself. You develop project timelines that account for the time necessary to take on board the input of your partners. Your project budgets adequately compensate partners for their time and reflect their expertise. Community partners are invited to your organisation’s events as VIPs. You evaluate partnerships against the three principles of equity, transparency and mutual benefit.