Reflections on how we can promote gender equality in artistic leadership

A few months back, I wrote a brief analysis on women’s representation in top leadership in Luxembourg for our The Network blog. You might have guessed that, yes, women continue to be under-represented among managers.

There’s one field you might not think of too much, and that is artistic leadership. More precisely, I wanted to focus today on conducting and the current situation in this area. And if you were wondering, yes, I mean the art of directing a musical performance, such as a concert. That type of conducting.

But first, let me explain why my thoughts went there.

If you’ve missed the news, The Network has partnered with Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg (OCL). This partnership will bring our members not only a free invitation to their opening concert of this season but also a reduced rate of 20% for the OCL’s three remaining concerts.

Their opening concert, “L’Été indien,” is happening on 23 September at the Philharmonie Grand Auditorium. Under the baton of the talented French conductor Chloé van Soeterstède, the Kyrgyz-Luxembourgish violinist Alena Baeva will be the guest of honour. With a fantastic repertoire scheduled for the evening, including works from the Swedish composer Katarina Leyman, all these made me think of the powerful women representation we have for the evening.

But don’t be tricked by that.

The current global situation in gender equity within artistic leadership, particularly in classical music, reveals significant disparities. Despite progress in some areas, women remain under-represented in key roles such as music composition, conducting, and institutional management. For instance, a UNESCO report highlights that women face numerous barriers to accessing and participating equally in cultural life, including classical music.

The Donne report 2023/2024 on equality and diversity in conducting identified that 89.9% were men and only 10.1% were women. The titles considered included artistic director and music director, among others. Their analysis excluded guest conductors and orchestras without a set post for a conductor.

As described by Donne, a charitable foundation that celebrates, advances, and amplifies women in music, these statistics highlight the persistent gender imbalance at the highest levels of orchestral leadership. The lack of female representation in such influential roles perpetuates a cycle of inequality and deprives the industry of diverse perspectives crucial for innovation and cultural richness.

As we eagerly await the concert on 23 September, The Network had the privilege to approach this topic with the conductor Chloé van Soeterstède. Mrs. van Soeterstède kindly shared with us her take on this:

“I don’t consciously think about my own gender when conducting an orchestra, but it is certainly true that we need more opportunities for women. There have been huge strides towards equality in recent years, and I have been lucky enough to be part of some wonderful programs which promote opportunities for women conductors, such as the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship.”

As Mrs. van Soeterstède shared, fellowships are a great channel to improve women’s representation in artistic leadership. But what else could help address and challenge gender stereotypes that persist in classical music, change the narrative around what a conductor, a composer, or a leader looks like, and promote diverse role models?

Perhaps increased visibility can be achieved through dedicated festivals, concerts, and media coverage that highlight women’s contributions. Establishing mentorship programs where experienced female leaders guide and support emerging female talent could help bridge the gap. Let’s not forget about the possibility of having sponsorship from influential figures in the industry that could provide women with the necessary opportunities and networks.

Another possibility could be providing targeted education and training programs for women in classical music to empower them with the skills and confidence needed to pursue leadership roles. This could include leadership development programs and workshops on navigating this specific industry.

I am sure this list is not at all exhaustive, but it feels like a right point of reflection on how we can promote gender equality in artistic leadership. And I invite you to share your thoughts with us, and why not, join us for the concerts too, either as a member or non-member.

Written by Diana Trisca-Rusu

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