Board Diversity

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about how this data is analyzed, the value of the metric we present in measuring change, and the work underway by orchestras to improve diversity of representation. 

Previously static, BIPOC representation more than doubled from 8% in 2013 to 17.4% in 2024, driven by the appointment of many new Black and Asian board members.

Despite this improvement, the boards of U.S. orchestras still trailed behind those of opera companies and the wider non-profit sector in terms of diversity, with both Hispanic and AIAN representation remaining notably low.

Women’s representation remained broadly static during the decade 2014-2024. While comparable with men’s representation overall, women’s representation was focused within the boards of smaller-to-medium orchestras.

The 0.1% of non-binary board members reported by orchestras is comparable with the wider nonprofit sector, yet falls short of the estimated U.S. non-binary population.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about how this data is analyzed, the value of the metric we present in measuring change, and the work underway by orchestras to improve diversity of representation.