The Executive Leadership Award recognizes the chief executive officer, executive director, or managing director of an ACSO member organization for extraordinary leadership in the classical music field over the past three to five years. This is demonstrated in their efforts to advance the mission of their organization, create a vision that inspires others, create strategies to overcome challenges, and unite a team to meet the demands of the changing world of classical music performance.
This leader has built an organizational culture and strategy that causes the institution to be an indispensable member of its community and has led their organization to evolve as its audience diversifies, changes, and grows. Throughout their leadership experience, this individual has encouraged innovation and creative independence among employees, enabling them to do their best work, and has demonstrated a special ability to identify and foster future leaders for the sector. This person effectively aligns artistic and administrative goals and uses their position to ensure that the organization is a reflection of and is in service to its unique, diverse, and evolving community and that their organization is welcoming, accessible, and inclusive
In their current role, this person has been the embodiment of ACSO’s vision that the classical music landscape of California and the region is vibrant, healthy, diverse, and connected to the communities it serves.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Nominee:
Must be a member of a current ACSO member organization
Must be the CEO, executive director, or managing director of their organization
Must be a paid employee (part-time or full-time) at an organization of any budget size
Must have strengthened and transformed the organization that he/she leads (specific examples of the individual’s impact must be provided)
ACSO promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion values and principles. As such, we encourage nominators to consider submitting candidates who meet the award criteria and represent a diversity of ages, genders, and ethnicities.
Nominator:
May be a member of the board of directors, a member of the organization’s staff, music director, musician, volunteer, a peer at another arts organization, or a self-nomination.
Should be well-acquainted with the nominee and can attest to his/her qualifications and accomplishments.
NOMINATION & REVIEW PROCESS:
The Nominator must complete and submit the online application before Friday, May 17, 2024.
The ACSO Awards Committee is comprised of ACSO staff, board, and members. When they complete their review and selection process, the nominator and winner will be notified and the public announcement to the field will be made in June 2024. ACSO will provide the awardee’s organization with a press release that can be customized to send to local media.
These awards are given solely based on the quality of the application and supporting materials. We encourage nominators to take their time and be intentional and specific when answering the questions on the award application.
The awardee will be recognized during the 2024 Annual Conference in San Francisco (July 25 – 27, 2024).
