The Orchestra Artistic Administration Intensive will introduce participants to the real-life opportunities and challenges that orchestra artistic administrators face today and highlight the creative, adaptive, and community-oriented skills that they need to nurture and support their creative workforce and build artistic capacity. The course will include open discussion and practical scenario exercises as well as time for individual reflection.

This program is geared to people new to artistic administration and those interested in deepening their skills in this critical area of orchestra leadership. Artistic administrators of smaller-budget orchestras and artistic planning staff of larger-budget orchestras are especially encouraged to apply, as well as those more broadly interested in pursuing a career that includes artistic administration.

By the end of the Intensive, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of artistic administration practices in orchestras
• Build strong relationships among internal and external stakeholders and staff teams
• Think holistically and creatively about the symbiosis between artistic planning, marketing, public relations, finance, development, and education
• Increase understanding and awareness of critical issues of community engagement and repertoire diversification
• Cultivate a network of peers, mentors, and resources for continued professional development

The Intensive will cover key functions of artistic administration at orchestras, including:

• Systems, processes and tools for artistic goals, planning, and budgeting
• Understanding relationships with music directors, conductors, orchestra musicians, guest artists, artist managers, composers, publishers, and community partners
• New concert formats and cross-genre projects
• Thematic programming
• Building diverse and inclusive programming

This Intensive will be led by:

• Martha Gilmer, President and CEO, San Diego Symphony
• Patrick Castillo, Vice President of Artistic Planning, New York Philharmonic

Additional guest faculty from the range of industry professionals will be announced later.

• Application fee: $65
• Program tuition: $1,500

Tuition covers 4 days of instruction and housing for 3 nights in New York City. Residency on site is required. Each participant will be responsible for covering their own costs of travel and most meals. Full and partial scholarships based on financial need are available.

Participants are expected to commit to all 4 days of the program and attend all sessions and associated events. Partial attendance is not permitted.

We will have a Zoom welcome for introductions on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 3:00-4:00pm Eastern. The program will begin at the League of American Orchestra’s offices in Manhattan with an opening reception on Monday, October 19 at 5:00pm and conclude on Thursday, October 22 at 11:30am.

Accommodation is provided in single-occupancy hotel rooms. Check-in is on Monday afternoon, October 19; check-out on Thursday, October 22.

Post-Intensive, participants will remain engaged through:

• Digital learning library of presentations and resources for future reference
• Instant messaging through class WhatsApp group
• Informal mentoring with faculty and staff
• Virtual re-convenings at 3 and 6 months
• League Alumni Network activities online and in person
• Invitations to alumni receptions at the National Conference and other League gatherings

Note: Applicants will be notified by Thursday, July 16, 2026. If accepted, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $500 will be due immediately. The tuition balance will be due by Tuesday, September 22, 2026.  

Application deadline: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Up to 20 participants will be selected based on demonstrated experience, career potential, commitment to orchestra artistic administration, and motivation and goals for participating in this professional development program. The League especially invites applicants from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in the orchestral field. All program applicants will receive a one-year professional membership to the League.

Applicants must complete an online application with following requirements:

Please upload the materials below with your application. Text documents should be in PDF format. Applications that exceed the stated page/word/duration limits will not be considered.

1. Personal Written Statement (500 words maximum answering the below three questions)
   • Question #1: Why do you want to work with and support artistic planning?
   • Question #2: Share a life experience or perspective that has affected who you are today and how it shapes your desired impact on the orchestral field.
   • Question #3: How does this program fit into your career goals?
2. Resume (2 pages maximum)
3. Biography (up to 250 words)
4. Financial Aid (optional)
   • Scholarship monies are available for need-based tuition awards. Please submit your 2025 tax return (if not available, your 2024 tax return is acceptable). All information will be kept confidential.
5. Pay the non-refundable $65 application fee.
   • The cost for your first submission to one of our programs launching in 2026 is $65. If you have already applied for a program this year through Acceptd, each subsequent application to a second, third, or fourth program will be at no cost to you. You must use the following coupon code in order to negate the cost of your additional submissions: 02LEAGUE26. (The first character is a zero.) 

Only fully complete applications will be considered. All submitted materials become the confidential property of the League of American Orchestras and will not be returned. Applicants will be notified by Thursday, July 16, 2026. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable.