Within the last decade, the entirety of society has seen a growing acknowledgement of the importance and subsequent lack of cultural equity in all areas of life. Nowhere is this more illustrated than in the not-for-profit arts sector. This case study of a local performing arts organization, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, examines how principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion can be implemented to make positive change within communities. Using qualitative research methods such as interviews and roundtable discussions followed by a literature review, this report attempts to answer the question of how are we currently implementing DEI principles and what can we do to better reflect communities with performing arts. This is relevant for the field as every performing arts non-profit now navigates these issues of representation within programming and internal structure. During this project I have examined the dynamics between non-profit boards and staff members, what college-aged audiences and future administrators are looking for from the larger field, the broad definition of accessibility, and the differences between performative representation and actual inclusion. Moving forward, future researchers and administrators can review this report or conduct their own to continue to push for a more inclusive art field from a grassroots level within smaller arts organizations. This experience has been relevant for my intended career as I pursue a dual masters and intend to lead a non-profit performing arts organization in the future. From this experience, I hope to be a responsible and accurate medium between arts and audiences in all communities.
Author(s): Joshua Senger, Arts Management and Music Major
Advisor(s): Youngaah Koh, College of Creative Arts
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