PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Lyndsay Werking-Yip, Director of Development at American Composers Orchestra
2:29:57
ยท
138 sec
Lyndsay Werking-Yip, Director of Development at American Composers Orchestra (ACO), testifies about ACO's role in creating pathways for New Yorkers to pursue careers in the arts. She highlights ACO's national impact, employment statistics, and initiatives for developing artists' careers.
- ACO has tripled its national footprint since 2020, now partnering with 26 organizations across 17 US states and Canada.
- In 2024, ACO employed over 200 artists in New York City, with a workforce reflecting the city's diversity.
- ACO requests $50,000 to support their work, which would enable them to add 5 annual composer residencies and provide opportunities for over 100 New York artists.
Lyndsay Werking-Yip
2:29:57
Thank you for the opportunity to speak here today.
2:30:00
My name is Lindsay Working Yip.
2:30:02
I am the director of development for the American Composers Orchestra.
2:30:07
ACO is a national accelerator creating pathways for New Yorkers to pursue pursue careers in the arts.
2:30:15
We provide artists paid work in New York City, then we connect them to organizations across the country for future employment.
2:30:24
Our Earshad Initiatives are the first ongoing systemic program for building relationships between composers and orchestras across the Americas.
2:30:32
Since 2020, we have tripled our national footprint, increasing from 6 to 26 partners across 17 US States and Canada.
2:30:41
All of these partners are providing jobs to our artists.
2:30:45
In 2024, we employed over 200 artists working in New York City to fulfill roles as composers, musicians, and teaching artists.
2:30:53
Our composer workforce reflects the New York City population, with 77% self identifying as individuals of color and 55% as women or non binary.
2:31:05
To make a sustainable living, a freelance artist must cobble together many different gigs as performers, composers, and teaching artists.
2:31:13
Just to get a job, these artists are expected to function as entrepreneurs needing skills in pitching, marketing, networking, and fundraising.
2:31:22
American Composers Orchestra provides training that will advance every part of an artist's career, gives them agency to direct the creative process, and pays them a living wage.
2:31:33
We begin this work at the start of the talent pipeline in New York City public schools.
2:31:37
In the past decade, nearly 100 ACO students have entered competitive postsecondary music programs.
2:31:44
For emerging artists like Trevor New, who joins me here today, we provide ongoing opportunities over multiple years.
2:31:51
Since his 2 year residency with ACO, we have connected him to dozens of career opportunities, which he will share more about shortly.
2:31:58
We're gonna be bold and respectfully request $50,000 to support ACO's work.
2:32:03
These funds would enable ACO to add 5 annual composer residencies, providing paid opportunities to over 100 New York artists and transformative musical experiences for many more New York City residents.
2:32:14
Thank you.