Year 1 Executive Inclusion Fellow, September 2023-2025

About Charleston Symphony Inclusion Fellowship (CSIF)

Founded August 2021, the Charleston Symphony Inclusion Fellowship is the Charleston Symphony’s pursuit in directly addressing institutional barriers and issues of representation, by building a direct career pipeline.

The fellowship is an intensive professional development and mentorship program for advancing talented individuals from backgrounds traditionally marginalized and/or underrepresented in classical music and is comprised of two divisions: an Executive Fellowship for arts administrators working daily as an integral part of the CSO administrative team and an Orchestral Fellowship for string musicians, rehearsing and performing as a member of the Charleston Symphony.

In addition to their organizational role, all fellows participate in a series of career-applicable enrichment workshops.

Executive Fellowship  

The Executive Fellowship is a partnership between the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and College of Charleston to advance and equip eager future arts administrators from backgrounds traditionally marginalized and/or underrepresented in the field of classical music with the tools to succeed in the modern-day non-profit setting. Executive fellowships are awarded to two successful candidates as positions within the Charleston Symphony staff for up to a 24-month period via 12-month renewable agreements. Each successful fellow will be awarded a salary of $20,000 annually as compensation for either one of two respective positions:

Participating fellows work 25 hours per week with the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra team. Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in professional development workshops throughout the year with guest mentors and leaders in the following subject matter areas:

Participating fellows will assist the CSO leadership in executing the Symphony’s daily operations through four department rotations which include:

Fellows will help facilitate the execution of tasks that keep the organization on track to meet its strategic objectives, gain hands on experience, and working alongside CSO administrative leaders on complex projects and events. These persons will manage challenging situations and multiple responsibilities concurrently, balancing urgent demands with longer-term objectives. They will need to have the highest level of ethical integrity as the position requires the management of highly confidential information of both internal and external stakeholders. They must be a collaborator with the ability to build strong and sustainable relationships within all levels of the organization.

Broad Responsibilities include:

 Skills/Interest in/Knowledge of:

Eligibility Requirements

1. Currently accepted, enrolled, and matriculated in the College of Charleston as a student pursuing a degree or certificate at the College of Charleston
2. Currently in good academic standing with the College of Charleston
3. Available 25 hours a week for a 12 month, Monday through Friday work-week and Charleston Symphony concert weekends.
4. Submit application: Deadline August 4, 2023

Submission Requirements

1. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
2. Complete 250–500-word essay addressing the following prompt: As an individual from a traditionally underrepresented group within symphonic music, as well as your unique perspective and life experiences, what have you done to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion and describe how you aim to continue championing this work in the arts and culture industry and the lasting impact you aspire to create. Please upload your essay in PDF format (titled “LastNameFirstName_Essay (ex: “GrayJohn_Essay”).
3. Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic references 
4. Introductory video stating any additional information you’d like us to know about you that doesn’t appear in your resume. Submissions should be no longer than 5 minutes in duration.

Application Instructions
Complete the form below with required information.
Submission Deadline: Friday, August 4, 2023

For questions and information, contact:

Mitsuko Flynn, CSO Director of Education & Business Operations | mflynn@charlestonsymphony.org