Lexington Philharmonic One of Five Orchestras to Receive League of American Orchestras American Orchestras’ Futures Fund Seed Grant
$6,000 Grants, Made Possible by the Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation, Highlight Array of Inventive Programs Taking Place at Smaller-Budget Orchestras and Youth Orchestras
NEW YORK, NY – Highlighting the groundswell of innovation occurring at smaller-budget orchestras and youth orchestras across the country, The Lexington Philharmonic is just one of five orchestras that have received $6,000 American Orchestras’ Futures Fund seed grants from the League of American Orchestras, made possible with the generous support of the Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation.
“These orchestras are in the forefront of experimentation and visionary problem-solving, and the League is proud to support this work for the benefit of the orchestra field,” commented League President and CEO Jesse Rosen. “I’m grateful to the Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation for enabling orchestras to incubate innovative practice, and look forward to the knowledge and research developed around these exciting initiatives.”
“We’re energized and encouraged by the momentum of our continued partnership with the League through the American Orchestras’ Futures Fund,” added Lisa Delan, Director of the Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation. "The initiatives by smaller-budget and youth orchestras in this round of grants represent the range of innovation, impact, and collaboration we envisioned when we approached the League. And I am personally gratified to witness the commitment by these grantees to reach diverse populations within their communities."
With this generous funding from the League of American Orchestras American Orchestras’ Futures Fund, LexPhil will implement the Orbit Initiative, to engage more diverse communities and partners to build a series of collaborative, intentional music experiences in new venues. The programming will reflect an issue or idea that is important to the local community and be presented in spaces that provide easy and comfortable access for neighborhood residents. Specific programs for this grant will be announced in early summer 2018.
About the League’s American Orchestras’ Future Fund Program:
The Futures Fund grantees from across the country are seizing opportunities in the current environment. These include giving life to contemporary repertoire by American composers; developing imaginative concert experiences and cross-cultural artistic programming; increasing diversity and access to music education; connecting with new immigrants and underserved populations; extending reach via digital streaming initiatives; investing in valuable audience development research; and working with multiple populations in rural and urban regions. Descriptions of the initiatives supported through the American Orchestras’ Futures Fund can be found here.
The $4.5 million American Orchestras’ Future Fund program included a first round of grants for larger-budget orchestras, announced in 2017.
For this second round, smaller-budget and youth orchestras that are based in the U.S. and that are members of the League of American Orchestras were eligible to apply. An independent review panel selected the orchestras based on criteria including significant investments in organizational learning, meaningful partnerships with community organizations, and an ability to assess and adapt practices for continuous innovation.
Seed Grant Recipients ($6,000):
Akron Symphony (OH) – support for work with the city’s immigrant population —refugees from Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, both adult musicians and high school students in the North High School immigrant orchestra.
InterSchool Orchestras of New York – support for a collaboration with the youth division of Ballet Hispanico to create a diverse, cross-cultural, orchestral and dance work for presentation at a major venue in New York City in spring 2019.
Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra – support for Lab Group, a collaborative composing ensemble; high-school student musicians work with staff facilitators to create new work, an entry point into group music-making.
The Lexington Philharmonic (KY) – support for creating a series of collaborative music programs in non-traditional venues, increasing participation and engagement in music by more diverse communities.
Tulsa Symphony Orchestra (OK) – support for an organization-wide review and analysis of the orchestra’s strategic plan; TSO is reviewing and analyzing their innovative model of orchestral governance.
The mission of the Lexington Philharmonic is to foster excellence and innovation in the performance and presentation of great music; to enrich the lives of our diverse citizenry; to educate current and future audiences and to bring distinction to our community through the orchestra’s presence and standing. Through LexPhil’s four core values of artistic excellence, innovation, collaboration and accessibility, LexPhil will continue to move forward, artistically and purposefully, providing world-class musical experiences and impactful educational opportunities for the Bluegrass Region and beyond.
The League of American Orchestras leads, supports, and champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its diverse membership of more than 2,000 organizations and individuals across North America runs the gamut from world-renowned symphonies to community groups, from summer festivals to student and youth ensembles, from conservatories to libraries, from businesses serving orchestras to individuals who love symphonic music. The only national organization dedicated solely to the orchestral experience, the League is a nexus of knowledge and innovation, advocacy, and leadership advancement. Its conferences and events, award-winning Symphony magazine, website, and other publications inform people around the world about orchestral activity and developments. Founded in 1942 and chartered by Congress in 1962, the League links a national network of thousands of instrumentalists, conductors, managers and administrators, board members, volunteers, and business partners. Visit americanorchestras.org.
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All Lexington Philharmonic programs are made possible through the generous support of LexArts. In 2017-2018, the Lexington Philharmonic will receive a total of $170,000 in unrestricted support.
LexPhil’s 2018-2019 Season is presented by the Dupree Initiative for Innovation, funded by the tremendous generosity of Thomas and Ann Todd Dupree.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to the Lexington Philharmonic with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Saykaly Garbulinska Foundation, funds LexPhil’s commitment to continued artistic growth and brings world-renowned artist to perform with LexPhil and participate in outreach for the Lexington community.
Special thanks to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for its continued partnership in ensuring a flourishing future for the arts in Lexington and central Kentucky.