Access, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Cultural Organizations: Insights from the Careers of Executive Opera Managers of Color in the US

Antonio C. Cuyler

Routledge, Sep 30, 2020 - Business & Economics - 132 pages

Analyzing the lack of diversity among opera executives, this book examines the careers of executive opera managers of color in the U.S. By interrogating the impact of race on arts managers’ careers, the author contemplates how opera might attract and retain more racially diverse arts managers to ensure its future.

With a focus on the U.S., research is contextualized via qualitative data to explore, enhance, and institutionalize access, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in the opera industry. In a revealing series of expert-conducted interviews, the author poses illuminating questions, such as:

• what if an inability to recruit and retain diverse executives is the primary source of opera’s challenges?
• if more racially diverse opera executives existed, would the art form persist in struggling to find its place in contemporary society?
• from where will the next generation of diverse opera managers emerge?

As the magnitude of the global diversity problem grows within the creative and cultural industries, this book serves as a guide for Arts Management practitioners and students who may view their class, different ability, ethnicity, gender, race, or sexual orientation as a liability in their pursuit of executive careers.

Contents

• Introduction: 1
• Henry Akina From Stage Director to Artistic Director of Hawaii Opera Theatre: 15
• Torrie Allen From Singer to GeneralArtistic Director of Anchorage Opera: 19
• Wayne Brown From Orchestra Manager to President CEO of Michigan Opera Theatre: 30
• Michael Ching From Composer to GeneralArtistic Director of Opera Memphis: 42
• Linda Jackson From Stage Manager to Managing Director of Connecticut Opera: 48
• Willie Anthony Waters From Conductor to GeneralArtistic Director of Connecticut Opera: 69
• Conclusions: 92
• Index: 117

About the author

Antonio C. Cuyler, Ph.D. is Director of the MA Program and Associate Professor of Arts Administration at Florida State University, USA.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Access, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Cultural Organizations: Insights from the Careers of Executive Opera Managers of Color in the US; Routledge Research in the Creative and Cultural Industries
• Author: Antonio C. Cuyler
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Routledge, 2020
• ISBN: 042999611X, 9780429996115
• Length: 132 pages
• Subjects: Business & Economics / Careers / General; Business & Economics / Leadership; Business & Economics / Management; Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities / General; Business & Economics / Personal Success; Business & Economics / Workplace Culture; Music / Genres & Styles / Opera; Performing Arts / Business Aspects