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Executive Leadership Award

ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA

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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

May 15, 2026

37 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Executive Leadership Award

Organization: Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO)

Purpose: Recognizes a chief executive officer, executive director, or managing director of an ACSO member organization for extraordinary leadership in the orchestra/classical music field.

Position Requirements:

  • Chief executive officer, executive director, or managing director of ACSO member organization

  • Leadership demonstrated over the past three to five years

    • Award Focus Areas:

  • Advancing organization's mission through compelling vision and effective strategy

  • Uniting teams to meet evolving demands of live orchestral performance

  • Strengthening organization's relevance and impact

  • Positioning organization as indispensable part of its community

  • Fostering culture of innovation, creativity, and accountability

  • Empowering staff and cultivating future leaders

  • Aligning artistic and administrative priorities

  • Ensuring organization reflects and serves diverse, evolving community

  • Prioritizing accessibility, inclusion, and belonging

    • Eligibility:

  • ACSO member organization leaders only

  • Must have demonstrated extraordinary leadership over 3-5 years

    • Geographic Scope: California

    Contact: office@acso.org

    Additional Resources: Sample nomination available on website

    Recent Recipients:

  • 2025: Anne Brown (Auburn Symphony) & Kelly Ruggirello (Long Beach Symphony)

  • 2024: Kathryn R Martin (Santa Barbara Symphony)

  • 2023: Natalia Staneva (New West Symphony)

  • 2022: Jenny Darlington-Person (Music in the Mountains)

  • 2021: Julia Copeland (Youth Orchestras of Fresno)

  • 2020: Stephen Wilson (Fresno Phil)

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    1. Submit a nomination through the ACSO website
    2. Deadline: Friday, May 15th, 2026
    3. Application should demonstrate extraordinary leadership accomplishments
    4. Include details about leadership vision, strategy, and impact over 3-5 years
    5. Explain organization's strengthened relevance and community positioning
    6. Describe culture of innovation, staff empowerment, and future leader cultivation

    Note: Sample nomination form available on website for reference

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    artsperforming-artsmusicdiversity

    Categories

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