“In spring 2019, the Philadelphia Orchestra began an initiative called Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies, or IDEAS, that has been quietly assessing internal operations and external relationships, to see where the organization is strong and where it needs work,” writes Peter Crimmins in Friday’s (10/23) WHYY. “This week, the orchestra solidified its commitment by naming the initiative’s head, Doris Parent” as vice president of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access strategies (IDEAS) and strategic partnerships. “ ‘We have been working on a rigorous analysis of the organization at all levels, taking critical steps to implement real and sustainable change to become an ever more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible organization,’ president and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky said.… ‘Our ensemble does not reflect the community that we reside in,’ [Parent] said. ‘That is not just an issue with the Philadelphia Orchestra, but across all of our industry.’… This is Parent’s job: to push all the departments of the orchestra to consider diversity and inclusion as they do what they do…. Changes to the operational culture of the orchestra have to come from the top down, she said, to be effective across the institution.”
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