M E D I A  A D V I S O R Y

RICHMOND, Va. (Aug. 16, 2018) – The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business hopes to strike a chord with the announcement of the Richmond Symphony as its 2017-18 artist-in-residence.

Now in its third year, the VCU School of Business artist-in-residence program supports the school’s EPIC strategic plan and vision to drive the future of business through the power of creativity. The Richmond Symphony will be the first musical artist and first organization to serve in the role, following residencies by noted visual artists Noah Scalin, sculptor, and Alyssa Salomon, photographer.

“The artist-in-residence program has been a catalyst to inspire creative thinking and new approaches to problem-solving among our students, faculty and staff,” said Ed Grier, dean of the School of Business. “As a leader in orchestra innovation and a cultural icon in Central Virginia, the Richmond Symphony will be a tremendous partner as we continue to find new ways to unlock our creative potential as individuals and as an organization.”

During the yearlong residency, symphony staff will conduct guest lectures on creativity and innovation, present a holiday pop-up concert in Snead Hall, host a team-building orchestral immersion experience for faculty and staff, and hold special events at the symphony.

“We are honored to have been selected as the artist-in-residence with the VCU School of Business for 2018/19. Listening to and performing music helps us all to think creatively, in every field of endeavor, including business,” said David J.L. Fisk, executive director of the Richmond Symphony. “As a creative business, the orchestra can serve as a model for learning: how creativity springs from discipline, how to foster excellence in team-work and collaborative production, and how a large and complex organization can keep evolving, to stay relevant and attract new customers while remaining true to its core.” 

The largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia, the Richmond Symphony performs, teaches and champions music to inspire and unite.

The VCU School of Business ranks in the top 5 percent of business schools worldwide due to its AACSB International-accreditation. In 2017, AACSB recognized the VCU School of Business Artist-in-Residence program with an Innovations That Inspire award.

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About the Richmond Symphony

Kicking off its 61st Season in September 2018, the Richmond Symphony is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70 professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 260 students in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. Each season, more than 200,000 members of the community enjoy live concerts and radio broadcasts. The Symphony also provides educational outreach programs to over 55,000 students and teachers each year. The Symphony was recently named one of 21 American orchestras selected as a leader in orchestra innovation by the League of American Orchestras through its Futures Fund Initiative. The Richmond Symphony is partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit www.richmondsymphony.com for more information.

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CONTACTS:

Erin Frye
The Richmond Symphony
Phone: 804-788-4717 ext. 121
Email: efrye@richmondsymphony.com

Leila Ugincius
University Public Affairs
Phone: 804-828-2725
Email: lugincius@vcu.edu