ACSO Social Impact Award 2025

The Social Impact Award is given to an organizational member of ACSO who has demonstrated measurable success in the area of social impact within the past three to five seasons. ACSO defines social impact as conscious or deliberate efforts towards positive change that address or improve social injustices or challenges. ACSO believes that an orchestra’s value extends beyond the music that they offer to their communities - they can also serve as agents to influence social change and make their communities stronger and more connected. We seek to award the work that orchestras are doing to serve, strengthen, and improve their communities both inside and outside the concert hall.

Has your organization implemented an initiative, program, concert series, partnership, etc. that is making your community better in a specific and measurable way? Is your organization embracing and learning about its unique, diverse, and evolving community? Has your organization prioritized innovation and creativity to facilitate positive social change for your community and the individuals within it? 

Through this work, your organization is embodying ACSO’s vision of thriving, inclusive orchestras that serve and uplift their communities.

NOMINATION CRITERIA 

  • Must be a current organizational member of ACSO
  • Nomination forms should come from a member of the board of directors, the executive director, or a member of the staff’s senior leadership team

NOMINATION & REVIEW PROCESS

The Nominator must complete and submit the online application before Friday, May 8th, 2025.

The ACSO Awards Committee is comprised of ACSO staff, board, and members. When they complete their review and selection process, the nominator and winner will be notified, and the public announcement to the field will be made in June 2024. ACSO will provide the awardee’s organization with a press release that can be customized to send to local media. 

These awards are given solely based on the quality of the application and supporting materials. We encourage applicants to take their time and be intentional and specific when answering the questions on the award application. 

The awardee will be recognized during the 2025 Annual Conference in Costa Mesa (Aug 7-9, 2025).

Fields marked with an * are required.

Please verify that you have checked the “I'm not a robot” checkbox.

Provide a brief statement explaining your organization's work in the area of social impact and how that success is affecting the overall relevance and sustainability of your organization. Include a description of community partners, if applicable.

Tell us your organization’s mission statement and describe how this initiative connects to it. WHY did you take on this project?

Describe the initiative’s impact, how you measure it, and the potential it has for long-term sustainability.

Include a minimum of one letter of support from an individual or organization from your community that specifically outlines how your orchestra has positively impacted them in some way.

20MB max

Upload your organization’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion statement or plan. If you do not have one, please explain why and tell us where you are in the process of crafting one.

20MB max

If you do not have an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion statement or plan, please explain why and tell us where you are in the process of crafting one.