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This Catalyst Guide from the League of American Orchestras identifies ten clear characteries of these inclusive orchestra cultures, drawn from ten case studies of member orchestras across the nation. Read their stories and discover how investing in people pays off, often in unexpected and inspiring ways.

Classical music has always been a collective art form. What we experience on stages depends on a collective working together—musicians, conductors, staff, volunteers, educators, boards, and audiences.

For many orchestras, building an inclusive culture is both a strategic imperative and an expression of core values. Inclusion directly supports better results, greater collaboration, and stronger retention, while also making the workplace more humane, equitable, and effective for everyone.

Our research shows that those musicians and staff reporting an inclusive organizational culture typically work for orchestras with some common characteristics.

For the first time, the Inclusion Index results give us clear evidence of both the benefits of investing in orchestras’ culture and the risks of neglecting it.