Kalamazoo Times

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) recently received $75,000 for concerts, community programs, and educational programs that connect people through the arts.

KSO last week revealed the grant from the Catalyst Fund – a three-year grant made possible by a $2.1 million leadership grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional support from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, according to a press release from the symphony.

"The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is putting diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core of our organization in daily practice and embodying these values in our work in the community and on the main stage," Jessica Mallow, KSO executive director, said. "KSO’s concerts, community programs, and educational programs are opportunities to bring people together to connect through the arts. This award from the Catalyst Fund Incubator will allow the KSO to continue building an organization that reflects the diverse community we serve."

Mallow continued, "We recognize that this is the foundation for continuous work. It includes each of us, working together to create a space where listeners and performers from all backgrounds and cultures can thrive."

The $75,000 grant comes from the League of American Orchestras and was awarded to KSO to nurture and sustain a culture that empowers a feeling of inclusivity. The Catalyst Fund Incubator grant is given to only 20 orchestras nationwide. It is used to drive changes by incorporating models from high-tech incubators through the creation of strong peer communities for brainstorming, strategizing, and developing new ideas through mentorships, according to the press release. 

"We’re so grateful to The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for their vision and years of support, and to the 49 orchestras in the initial Catalyst Fund pilot program who have infused the field with insights and helped the entire field begin to effect change," Simon Woods, league president and CEO, said. "The new incubator program accelerates and deepens this work, inspiring orchestras to nurture and sustain inclusive organizational cultures over the long term."

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in June 2021 adopted a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) charter. It outlines three areas of actionable change to allow the KSO to better serve both its internal and external constituents: administrative, leadership, and governance; artistic activity; and audience, partners, and community. All of these areas will be addressed through the new grant. 

"The support from the Catalyst grant will assist the KSO in focusing on organizational culture, examining inclusivity within programming, and striving to reflect the community we serve in our audiences and partners," the press release said.