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CHICAGO, IL - Blake-Anthony Johnson, CEO & President of Chicago Sinfonietta has accomplished much in the relatively short time he has headed the 35-year-old national champion of diversity, inclusion and equity in the classical music field. Today, Crain's Chicago Business announced him as a member of its 40 Under 40 Class of 2022.
"The Board of Directors could not be more proud that Blake-Anthony Johnson is a part of the Chicago Sinfonietta. His drive and dedication to making our orchestra even more exciting and inclusive in this, our 35th year, is going to yield exceptional results that will help make our organization wildly successful. Bravo to Mr. Johnson!" stated Chicago Sinfonietta Board Chair James L. Weidner.
Erin Harkey, commissioner of DCASE in Chicago, was quoted in the article as saying,"He's kind of a magical unicorn in a lot of different ways."
Crain's journalist Graham Meyer writes, "The orchestra, run by Blake-Anthony Johnson, was founded on principles of inclusivity 35 years ago and has successfully brought diversity to every aspect of the symphonic world where it is possible to express it: among the instrumentalists, the composers on the program and, most strikingly, in the audience, where other classical-music organizations have struggled."
Meyer further adds, "The budget has doubled since Johnson started, the staff has significantly expanded and the Chicago Sinfonietta will be the resident orchestra of the Auditorium Theatre next season."
The respected publication is available in outlets throughout the city or via an online subscription.
About Blake-Anthony Johnson
Arts executive Blake-Anthony Johnson has, throughout his career, extended the artistic, commercial, and technological boundaries of what an orchestra can be in the 21st century through creative leadership, commitment to innovation, and progressive vision. The first African American executive to guide a nationally renowned orchestra, he is President and Chief Executive Officer of the award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta. An active member of numerous organizational boards and committees, including the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (in various roles) the Cultural Arts Council for the City of Chicago, The Sir Georg Solti Foundation U.S., and the League of American Orchestras’ EDI Orchestra Management Committee, Johnson is an accomplished musician, and a former professional cellist and protégé of Michael Tilson Thomas at New World Symphony. The recipient of the 2022 Chicago Community Trust Daniel Burnham Fellowship, his former posts include two terms on the National Endowment for the Arts Music Panel.
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