EDI Resources of Special Interest to Orchestra Staff

In This Section

These resources support staff efforts to assess organizational culture, expand hiring networks for more diverse candidates, and build inclusive culture in order for teams to be creative and effective. 

Assessment and Strategic Tools 

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Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Artistic Planning

In this Catalyst Guide, learn from fifteen orchestras that are making progress towards engaging younger and more racially diverse audiences.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Artistic Planning

This Catalyst Guide lays out actionable strategies for orchestras seeking to diversify the repertoire they present, drawing on interviews with orchestras of all budget sizes (including orchestra grantees of the League’s Catalyst Fund Pilot and Incubator programs).

Catalyst Snapshots: EDI Case Studies from American Orchestras

In this series, League member orchestras share stories of the tangible progress they’ve made towards their equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) goals.

Promising Practices: Actions Orchestras Can Take to Make Progress Toward Equity

This free Catalyst Guide from the League of American Orchestras highlights concrete actions that orchestras can take to support their equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) goals.

Anxious to Launch a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program at Your Nonprofit?

Lisa Brown Alexander, Founder & CEO of Nonprofit HR, summarizes five essential steps to complete before launching a diversity, equity, and inclusion program in order to unpack the macro-level impacts of these efforts.

Considerations for EDI and Anti-Racism Work at Orchestras

Jessica Schmidt, Principal Consultant at Orchestrate Inclusion outlines preparations and actions needed for orchestras to uproot racism embedded in systems and traditions.

Racial Equity Assessment Tool

A guide for workforce development organizations and practitioners to evaluate their programs, operations, and culture in order to identify strength areas and growth opportunities.

Continuum on Becoming an Anti-Racist Multicultural Organization

Building an antiracist multicultural organization where racial and cultural differences are seen as assets.

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Working with an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant 

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Guidance on Hiring an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant

From the League’s Catalyst Fund, including a comprehensive guide to identifying your organization’s needs and writing a Request for Proposals, and a list of consultants specializing in this work.

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Recruitment 

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Why Diversity in Hiring Might Be Even More Important

Considers three questions that help identify why your organization is not diverse enough and figure out how to change it.

Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter for Nonprofits

The National Council of Nonprofits offers a set of practice pointers, questions to consider, and resources to inspire and guide nonprofit organizations to embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental values and reflect them in operations and activities.

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• Building Diverse and Equitable Teams

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Networking for BIPOC staff

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League ALAANA network

First organized in 2018 at the League’s National Conference in Chicago, the ALAANA Administrators constituency group is comprised of orchestra administrators who are not executive directors or CEOs and who self-identify as people of African, Latinx, Asian, Arab/Middle Eastern, or Native American descent (ALAANA). 

Arts Administrators of Color Network

An arts service network founded in 2016 focusing on networking and community building through the arts, and advocating and fighting for equity in the arts.

Women of Color in the Arts

A grassroots, people-powered, member–-driven, national service organization dedicated to creating racial and cultural equity in the performing arts field by promoting professional opportunities for arts administrators and providing a platform to give voice and visibility to women of color.

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Banner: Members of The Philly POPS administration and President & CEO Frank Giordano in the POPS’ office discussing the upcoming Lights Up! Showtime! season. Photo Credit: The Philly POPS