Orchestra Expansion: Meeting Soaring Demand

Access to tech and creative industry employment

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

We're tackling the scarcity of female and underrepresented conductors and arts leaders in symphony orchestras. Three years ago, we proactively hired our experienced female conductor, a deliberate step towards equitable leadership. Her talent fueled our growth and unprecedented demand. We will also compensate our female Director and Finance Manager who have been working as volunteers since our launch in 2019.
Now, as we expand, we're committed to hiring additional female, BIPOC, and underrepresented conductors. Our unique no-pressure, non-performance model offers a crucial platform for them to gain experience and visibility, breaking traditional barriers. This enriches our artistic community and provides vital role models, fostering diverse leadership in the creative economy.

This grant will fuel the strategic expansion of our orchestra's unique, no-pressure music-making program, directly addressing barriers to LA's creative economy for underrepresented Angelenos, including those lacking opportunity, skills, or confidence for traditional ensembles.
We will fund additional sessions to meet overwhelming demand. Our program is a pathway where participants build collaboration, ignite creativity, and gain the unprecedented opportunity to either start a new instrument or rekindle and build upon musical skills they may have left behind within a supportive environment. These transferable skills are crucial for thriving in the creative sector and beyond. The inclusivity and community foster invaluable networking, enabling individuals to expand into other musical endeavors and creative opportunities across Los Angeles.
Funds will increase our experienced female conductor's rate and enable us to hire more talented female, BIPOC, and other underrepresented conductors. This provides essential leadership opportunities and powerful role models, combating systemic inequities and building a diverse talent pipeline in LA's dynamic creative industries. We will fund the female led team who have launched, built and maintained this organization since 2019, fueled by solely volunteer hours and a commitment to the mission. We will hire a part-time Orchestra Assistant and give an opportunity for someone from underrepresented groups to enter into Arts Management.

If successful, Los Angeles County will be a place where access to the transformative power of collaborative music-making is truly equitable and abundant. With our current 1500+ and constantly growing membership, expanding our reach will exponentially increase opportunities for diverse Angelenos, especially adults who do not have as abundant of opportunities to participate in the creative arts.
This creates a wider, more inclusive talent pipeline for the creative economy. The ripple effect of offering these accessible, skill-building opportunities – fostering confidence, networking, and diverse leadership – will empower countless individuals who previously lacked access. LA County will gain a more connected, musically enriched, and equitably represented creative community.