Summermusik is committed to creating an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We will be a welcoming place for people of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and countries of origin. When we use the term “diverse” or “diversity” in this plan, it is our intention to be inclusive of a broad definition of the differences among individuals. This commitment will be reflected in our programming, audience, outreach and all connected with Summermusik—staff, musicians, trustees, and volunteers.
OUR COMMITMENTS
PROGRAMMING
Summermusik is committed to providing programming that is relevant and meaningful to the broad community we seek to serve. We will work to present programming by and about diverse people, experiences, and cultures. We will be deliberate in considering diversity when selecting guest artists and collaborators.
STAFF COMPOSITION AND SEARCH POLICY
Summermusik currently has one full-time Executive Director and two part-time positions. When we recruit for open or new staff roles, we will track the diversity of our candidate pools, and we will explore and work to implement best practices that increase the diversity of those candidate pools. Summermusik also will work to broaden the racial and age diversity of volunteers who support our mission by engaging with local universities and high schools with top-tier music programs.
BOARD COMPOSITION
If we are to succeed in achieving the goals of this plan – to be more inclusive and welcoming of all people and all differences – our board must be the change we strive for. We want and need to be a more inclusive board and will explore new marketing techniques to spread the word about board membership.
ORCHESTRA (MUSICIAN) COMPOSITION
Summermusik is committed to unbiased auditioning and conducts all auditions in a “neutral” way, such that musicians are only heard and not seen when auditioning. Summermusik is a member of the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS) which is an organization that provides support for diverse musicians to audition and perform as substitutes with member organizations. Summermusik will post all open orchestral positions on the NAAS website. Summermusik will continue to explore best practices of similar arts and cultural organizations regarding increasing the diversity of Orchestra membership.
ACCESS
Summermusik will continue to strengthen and develop community partnerships in underserved communities. Summermusik will continue to offer free and subsidized performances and experiences for schools throughout the region.When selecting venues for performances, Summermusik will review accessibility to the venue for persons with special mobility needs. We will continue to be proactive in our program communications describing the accessibility of our performance venues.
TRAINING
Summermusik will seek out and implement cultural competency and awareness training for members of the staff, the orchestra members and the Board of Trustees. Summermusik will draw upon the internal training support and expertise from members of our Board of Trustees. In addition, Summermusik has identified the following external resources for training support: The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, ArtsWave, Black American Tree Project, and various Chamber of Commerces.
AUDIENCE
Summermusik is committed to providing programming that is relevant and meaningful to the broad community we seek to serve. For our 2024 primary events (Summermusik and We Are One), 10% of the Summermusik audience identified as BIPOC and 8% was under the age of 40. Summermusik will seek to increase access to performances and experiences through the continued identification and usage of non-traditional venues in racially diverse and underserved communities.
