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Communicating with Gen Z Conference session presented by the League’s Student Leadership Council. Photo: Asaeda Badat

New York, NY (December 19, 2024) – Closing out the year on a high, the League of American Orchestras has received several new grants for future initiatives aimed at driving youth engagement, leadership development, musician and composer diversity, and orchestra governance.

“We’re so grateful to the many individual and institutional donors who care deeply about America’s orchestras,” said League of American Orchestras President and CEO Simon Woods. “With their support, the League can continue its vital support for the organizations and people of the orchestra field.”

Newly announced grants include:

Sakana Foundation

The Inclusive Stages Coalition met virtually as well as in-person at the 2024 Midwinter Managers Meeting (pictured) and at the League’s National Conference. Photo Credit: Doug Coombe

Major support for the League’s Inclusive Stages program, aimed at increasing musician racial diversity at American orchestras.

  • Now expanded to include youth orchestras, educational institutions, and pathway programs
  • Helping orchestras establish best practices and processes for musician recruitment and tenure
  • Providing data-driven insights to help fuel change

The Clinton Family Fund

Effective Orchestra Governance, feature
Effective Orchestra Governance, free for members, remains a trusted and popular League resource

$100,000 in new support for:

  • Updating the League’s popular handbook, Effective Orchestra Governance
  • Governance Roundtables
  • Youth engagement initiatives
  • Supporting the League’s role in the National Alliance for Audition Support

Julian Family Foundation

Pictured: the newly announced 2024-25 Stuent Leadership Council, bringing student voices to the League’s strategic vision.

$100,000 in support of youth engagement initiatives:

  • Free League memberships and Conference attendance for students
  • Support for the League’s new Student Leadership Council
  • Youth-focused digital learning and Conference content

Patricia A. Richards

The 2023-24 Anne Parsons Leadership Program cohort. Photo: Jason Cohn

$125,000 to renew the Anne Parsons Leadership Program.

  • Program supports women and non-binary orchestra professionals in their career progressions
  • In 2023-24, six participants were paired with mentors from the orchestra field
  • Participants attend Leadership Forums and Workshops featuring executive and professional development coaches, performing artists, and executives

New York State Council on the Arts

$40,000 to support regional initiatives in New York State.

  • Discounted webinars for lower-budget New York State orchestras
  • Fall forum for small-budget orchestras north of New York City
  • Scholarships for League professional development programs
Read the full press releaseDownload (PDF)

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