SLICE POLICIES

 

Safe Spaces Policy

 

SLICE is a safe space, which means that it is intended to be a welcoming, engaging, and supportive environment free of oppressive actions, behavior, and language. Participants and attendees are asked to consider how their language and behavior impact others in attendance.

 

 The following guidelines will help SLICE be a safer space:

  • Respect people’s physical and emotional boundaries.
  • Always get explicit verbal consent before touching someone or crossing boundaries.
  • Respect people’s opinions, beliefs, differing states of being, and differing points of view.
  • Be responsible for your actions and aware that they may have an effect on others regardless of original intent.

 

The following actions and forms of discrimination and abuse will not be tolerated:

  • Racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and all other forms of discrimination
  • Theft of money or property
  • Physical, verbal, or mental abuse
  • Sexual harassment or inappropriate/unwelcome comments and behaviors
  • Disruptive or disrespectful behavior
  • Causing a participant or attendee to feel distressed or unsafe

 

Should an issue arise with a participant or attendee during the Expo, please come to the information table and ask for a SLICE organizer. Organizers will be available to hear these concerns and find a solution that is in the best interests of making the community and the event a safer space. The SLICE organizers reserve the right to ask any attendees who are violating the safe space policy to change or address their unsafe behavior or language, or leave the event if necessary.

 

COVID-19 Policy

 

Masks are strongly encouraged for all attendees, exhibitors, and staff at SLICE. In order to protect immunocompromised folks in our community, we ask that you wear your masks in the expo hall. 

 

SLICE recommends testing for COVID-19 within 48 hours prior to the event. If you test positive the day of the event, please do not attend.

 

SLICE staffers will provide free KN95 masks to those who need them. The Sheldon is equipped with HVAC filtration that meets CDC ventilation guidelines for COVID-19. We will also be supplying two portable HEPA air scrubbers to improve filtration in the expo hall. We are providing outdoor seating options and encourage guests to eat outside. 

 

Thank you to the Cartoonist Cooperative for publishing the Masking Initiative and Resources guide, which was crucial to our planning!

 

DEIA Initiative

 

SLICE’s mission is to support local, independent creators and make print arts accessible to St. Louisans. We aim to accomplish this by building a diverse community; collaborating with local artists and organizations; and offering free, public events to help artists grow and introduce people of all backgrounds and skill levels to comics, zines, and print arts. In order to achieve that accessibility and community, we believe it takes a concentrated effort to expand our reach outside of traditional print and comics circles in the St. Louis region. This is achieved by going to local cultural markets, providing programming in a variety of neighborhoods, keeping all of our programs completely free to attend, and keeping the expo and its events COVID-19 cautious. This visibility empowers marginalized and disabled creators to make art and to continue to learn the craft of print arts.