Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

With each program and production, we are committed to advancing our efforts and leading the way in promoting racial equity among our opera peers. By co-creating programs and events with community and collaboration at the forefront, we integrate and operationalize racial equity and social impact into every facet of City Lyric Opera. We remain open to learning and improving in areas where our company can grow and actively seek educational opportunities for our staff and artists.

Equitable Casting and Hiring Practices: 

We are dedicated to ensuring that the artists and art showcased on our stage accurately reflect the diversity and richness of New York City's community. Recognizing the historical Eurocentric origins of opera and the resulting barriers to access, particularly for marginalized voices, we acknowledge the need for change. In American opera, systemic racism and xenophobia have further entrenched these barriers. City Lyric Opera actively addresses these issues by prioritizing the inclusion of non-white artists and diverse storytelling in our season programming.

Our artist-led season programming is meticulously curated through a blind submission process, overseen by a panel of reviewers including CLO’s Executive Director, board members, and guest panelists. We provide real-time and post-proposal feedback to all prospective artists, ensuring transparency throughout the application process. Furthermore, we firmly oppose charging application fees. Instead, all selected artists receive fair compensation for their performances with City Lyric Opera, supplemented by fiscal sponsorship from our organization.

Additionally, we prioritize the well-being of our artists by offering accommodations for physical, mental, and social barriers whenever possible. Through these efforts, we aim to create an inclusive and equitable environment where every artist feels valued and supported.