Monday (3/4) on Huffington Post, League of American Orchestras President and CEO Jesse Rosen writes, “I have been reflecting on diversity and orchestras lately, prompted by some work we are doing at the League of American Orchestras and my recent participation in SphinxCon 2013 in Detroit, which examined diversity, inclusion and equity in the arts. … At the League, we are determined to play a positive and meaningful role in creating a more diverse, more inclusive industry and environment for our art form. … Orchestras have a lot of work to do … But we should not lose perspective when it comes to noting their many accomplishments. For example, there was a time, not too long ago, when orchestra musicians were all men. Now 45 percent of musicians and 15 percent of conductors are women, according to League surveys of member orchestras. … But what is the way forward for orchestras, which have wrestled with diversity for so long? Looking for answers, the League board turned to Bo Young Lee, Global Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Marsh, Inc. The first step, she said, is to recognize that people of different cultures and backgrounds can derive different meanings from the same experience or action and that cultural norms and biases are unconsciously transmitted in every organization. Acknowledging and reflecting on those is the beginning of building cross-cultural competency, which is an essential skill set for people in a diverse society.”
Posted March 6, 2013
