Chicago Sinfonietta CEO & President Blake-Anthony Johnson today announced a special award from the Mellon Foundation. The funds, Mr. Johnson stated, will allow for “a reexamining and expanding of ‘community’ that will not only bolster the arts and culture ecosystem of Chicago, but also our national arts ecosystem as we continually strive to lead and model what it means to be America’s orchestra without barriers.”The award is a recognition of the 35 year-old organization’s mission and legacy. Mr. Johnson continued, “As one of two transformative gifts I’ve had the pleasure to announce this summer, this award acknowledges our bold vision achieved by the selfless dedication of our orchestra musicians, staff, board, volunteers, and my closest partner, Music Director Mei-Ann Chen.
“Chicago Sinfonietta and the Mellon Foundation both believe that everyone deserves’ the beauty, transcendence, and freedom’ found in expressing our complex humanity through the arts and humanities. The power of cutting-edge symphonic experiences to challenge, activate, and nourish the human spirit makes space for all individuals in our communities to live artful lives and is a leading tenet of our mission.
“We offer our sincerest appreciation to the Mellon Foundation, and look forward to expanding our work in the community.”
