The Los Angeles Philharmonic is featured in a new League of American Orchestras study showcasing innovative developments in orchestra management, programming, and operations while proposing a model for fostering innovative change. The new publication, Fearless Journeys: Innovation in Five American Orchestras, presents case studies of the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. The five orchestras were selected from a group of 150 orchestras that responded to a League survey on innovation and represent a wide range of budget sizes, business models, and geographic locations. The complete manuscript can be found on the League of American Orchestras website (http://www.americanorchestras.org).
The major discovery of the study was that all the orchestra initiatives contain six common factors: a committed and resolute leadership, an expansive vision, an open artistic decision making model, coordination by an explicit integrator, a prolific use of partnerships, and a foundation of artistic excellence."Innovation is a key organizational priority and curatorial responsibility at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Being recognized for this work is extremely fulfilling. If we can also serve as an example to other orchestras on how to achieve innovation within a sustainable business model, we can all look forward to a very bright future," says Deborah Borda, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. "Orchestras seeking new ways to fulfill their missions in changing environments need more information about how to foster innovative change. The variety of strategies developed by these five orchestras, and The Commonalities among them, offer a beginning for exploration," said Jesse Rosen, President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras. "We hope that Fearless Journeys will encourage all orchestras to reflect on and develop their own capacity for innovation."Videos