Racial/Ethnic and Gender Diversity in the Orchestra Field in 2023

A Report by the League of American Orchestras

by Cuyler Consulting, LLC (Antonio C. Cuyler, Ph.D. & Evan Linett), and Karen Yair, Ph.D., with James McCain

Racial/Ethnic and Gender Diversity in the Orchestra Field in 2023 provides a detailed understanding of representation across the field. Commissioned by the League, the report covers the ten-year period from the 2013-14 season through the 2022-23 season and presents analyses by orchestra role and demographic group, building upon the League’s landmark 2016 demographic study. The new report was written and researched by Antonio C. Cuyler, Ph.D, Evan Linett, and Karen Yair, Ph.D., the League’s Vice President, Research and Resources.

• Introduction
• Overview
• Key Findings
• Recommendations
• Definitions
• Technical Notes
• Detailed Analysis 1: By Orchestra Role (see full PDF)
• Detailed Analysis 2: By Demographic Group (see full PDF)
• Detailed Analysis 3: By Role and Budget Size (see full PDF)
• Detailed Analysis 4: Focus on the Pandemic Years (see full PDF)
• Appendix 1: Methodology
• Appendix 2: Stories of Progress in Orchestras
• Appendix 3: References
• Acknowledgements

This project was supported in part by an award from the Research Grants in the Arts program at the National Endowment for the Arts, Grant #1863433-38-20. Additional funding was provided by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.