a/perture’s Programming Policy
Programming Policy
- Purpose
a/perture’s programming endeavors to fulfill its mission and commitment as a nonprofit art house cinema. As an art house cinema, a/perture has the ability to create a space for its local community in downtown Winston-Salem to show creative visions and freedom of expression and allow its audiences to engage with each through its curated programming. Censoring access to films based on undue political influence or outside pressures, undermines the very essence of free speech and the connectivity that a/perture seeks to spark and achieve in presenting socially engaged and/or independently produced film content that both reflect and challenge the audience. In a world where entertainment, news, and art are filtered and digested through algorithms, a/perture’s independent programming is crucial in providing the community with cultural perspectives and art forms through a curated broad lens and platform.
- Programming, Themes, and Ethics
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- A/perture delegates its programming to a programming director.
- Programming is subject to review by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.
- Programming is guided:
- To bolster its mission (and code of conduct) of entertainment, education, and engagement with the Piedmont Triad community by showcasing cinema’s full range, and using its connective power to build an inclusive community;
- To reach a wider audience and help such new audiences to take risks on new types of films by providing good context and signposting;
- To promote local filmmakers;
- To bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and cultures into focus through film;
- To curate voices across gender, race, cultures, and styles, emphasizing women filmmakers, BIPOC filmmakers, international cinema, and documentaries;
- To offer film and outreach to deliver transformative, insightful cinematic experiences that enrich lives and minds.
- To broaden access to thought-provoking films;
- To balance the above without imposing a mandate of “screen equity”;
- To avoid films and filmmakers with subjects that promote hate speech, promote violence, prejudice, and disenfranchisement; and
- To account for financial aspects, such as licensing costs and fees, competition, and market power.
- To bolster its mission (and code of conduct) of entertainment, education, and engagement with the Piedmont Triad community by showcasing cinema’s full range, and using its connective power to build an inclusive community;
Approved by: Board of Directors of a/perture
January 26, 2026