Resilient Ontario Orchestras

Click here for a PDF version of the Application Information

Application Information

Project description: The Resilient Ontario Orchestras project is designed to help Ontario’s smaller budget orchestras and youth orchestras (groups with annual, pre-pandemic revenues under $500,000) access customized consulting help and resources to help them plan for a sustainable return to public performances as soon as it’s viable. 

Based on the information shared in this application, Orchestras Canada and our lead consultant, Lucy White, will select and match up to 20 orchestras with participating arts consultants for short-term work (up to 2.5 days, some of which will be dedicated to preparation, follow-up, and documentation), focusing on the orchestra’s areas of need. 

Potential consulting areas: Including but not limited to: Artistic planning; Audience development; Marketing; Governance; Strategic planning; Volunteer management; Financial management; Human resources; Revenue generation; Risk Management; Health & safety and pandemic protocols; Digital technology adoption; Digital content capture & distribution.

Eligibility criteria:

Your orchestra must be:

1. A member in good standing of Orchestras Canada as of March 2021;

2. Based in Ontario;

3. Able to demonstrate annual revenues of less than $500,000 in the last complete fiscal year.

The application:

Consists of two parts:

1. General questions about your orchestra and what you are hoping to gain from short term consulting;

2. An organizational health assessment tool to rate your orchestra’s strengths and challenges in the following areas: Leadership; Vision, Mission & Values; Planning; Community & Audience Development; Finances.

Application assessment criteria:

1. Completion of the application form in full, including the organizational health assessment;

2. Ability to clearly define a challenge or challenges that can be addressed through a short-term consulting intervention;

3. Confirmation of support for the application from board, staff, and artistic leaders.

Two information sessions are available for applicants to meet with OC staff and ask questions about putting together a strong application:

• Youth orchestras info session: Mar. 25, 4-5 pm EST (Register here) 

• Small budget orchestras info session: Apr. 1, 4-5pmEST (Register here)

Confidentiality: The specific information you provide in this application will be shared only with OC’s staff, lead consultant, and (in the event of selection) your orchestra’s assigned consultant. General trends and themes may be aggregated by OC and shared with the broader orchestral community; nothing identifying any individual orchestra will be shared without consent.

Application deadlines:

• Youth Orchestras: April 6th, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST.
• Small Budget Orchestras: April 16th, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST.

Notification of results: In early May, orchestras will be notified about the results of their application and (if selected) matched with their consultant.

Disclaimer: Orchestras selected to participate in the Resilient Ontario Orchestras project agree to work with the consultant assigned to them. After matching, participating orchestras will be responsible for scheduling their own meetings with their assigned consultant between May and September. Funding is limited: this project allows for up to 2.5 days of consulting time (including preparation, virtual onsite, and documentation). If an orchestra exceeds its allotted 2.5 days or wishes to engage their consultant for further work, the orchestra – not Orchestras Canada — is responsible for negotiating and paying any additional fees.