Chicago Sinfonietta's Outgoing President and CEO, Blake-Anthony Johnson, honored with two proclamations for his work in Chicago

Chicago Sinfonietta's Outgoing President and CEO, Blake-Anthony Johnson, honored with two proclamations for his work in Chicago

Outgoing Chicago Sinfonietta President and CEO Blake-Anthony Johnson, who ends his tenure with the orchestra at the end of this month, was feted last night as the organization said a fond farewell and celebrated his many accomplishments for the orchestra during his five-year tenure. Recently announced Interim CEO Wendy Lewis praised Johnson in a short speech, and not one, but two Chicago Mayors honored him with proclamations.

Current Mayor Brandon Johnson ended his proclamation with "WHEREAS, the City of Chicago expresses its immense gratitude for your extraordinary service to the arts and the people of Chicago and wishes you continued success in the next chapter of your journey..." and recognizing Johnson's "transformative contributions to the Chicago Sinfonietta and the City of Chicago and Your unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant cultural institution and offer best wishes for our future endeavors, may your legacy continue to inspire generations to come."

The 56th Mayor of Chicago, Lori E. Lightfoot proclaimed December 18, 2024, as "Blake-Anthony Johnson Day in The City of Chicago, remarking on his leadership, exceptional service, both as the CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta and for his work as Co-Chair of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Cultural Advisory Council, and his lasting contributions to the Sinfonietta and the broader cultural community.

Noted as a “business heavyweight” by Crain’s Chicago Business, executive Blake-Anthony Johnson has, throughout his career, extended the artistic, commercial, and technological boundaries of what a cultural institution can be in the 21st century through creative leadership, commitment to innovation, and progressive vision. He is the first African American executive to guide a nationally renowned orchestra and serves on numerous boards and panels throughout the country by invitation. Recent honors include being named a 2023 Harvard Business School Club Chicago Fellow and attending Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, being named a recipient of the 2023 Black Men in Excellence Award by the Black Professionals Network, one of MusicalAmerica.com’s 2022 Top 30 Professionals of the Year, Chicago Tribune’s 2022 Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music, and a member of Crain’s Chicago Business magazine’s Class of 2022 40 Under 40. Johnson has served the award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta, an acclaimed cultural leader in the field and powerful champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, since spring of the 2019-2020 season.

Known for his innovative ideas for advancing the arts, Johnson's accomplishments for Chicago Sinfonietta, included successfully pivoting the orchestra to online efforts in the midst of the pandemic upon his arrival without furloughing any staff or musicians, remaining fully operational, increasing its international awareness to 40 countries, and establishing itself as a leader in virtual programming during a critical time. Under Johnson’s leadership, the Sinfonietta achieved a 200% increase in sustained revenue, nearly tripled its seasonal operating budget, raised musicians' base pay by 20%, and tripled its staff to support expanded programming. He expanded the organization’s reach and community programming, introduced the Artist-in-Residence initiative, expanded the flagship Freeman Fellowship program, oversaw the establishment of the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program, now in its third iteration; the orchestra’s first tour in decades -Homecoming—in partnership with the HBCUs of the Atlanta University Center; and CS360, a symphonic metaverse experience. Most recently led complex negotiations, establishing a historic partnership with Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, the orchestra’s new home and performance venue beginning the 2023-2024 season, in addition to Naperville’s Wentz Concert Hall. He also launched the orchestra’s first annual fund to great success, extending the funding base beyond Chicago by 36%. In addition to music and audience diversity, Johnson has also expanded economic diversity, designing and introducing the nationally acclaimed Pay-What-You-Can Program in fall 2021. Praised by The New York Times, the program has inspired classical organizations throughout the nation, resulting in numerous organizations adopting the practice.

In January 2025, Blake-Anthony Johnson began his tenure as CEO of Louisiana's 50-year-old New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation (NOJHF), home to the internationally renowned Jazz Fest, Heritage School of Music, Jazz and Heritage Archive, WWOZ radio station, and the Wein Center.

Chicago Sinfonietta

A tenured orchestra and acclaimed cultural leader that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating community through curated symphonic experiences, Chicago Sinfonietta is a source of community through music, as well as ensuring and inspiring a continued investment in diversity and inclusivity in the genre of classical music to promote fairness and equity. Recognized as groundbreaking, dynamic and daring, with core values built around being culturally responsive and advocates of inclusivity in all aspects of the 37-year-old organization’s work, Chicago Sinfonietta’s unrelenting commitment to being at the forefront of innovation drives its high standard of symphonic experiences. CS takes pride in leading by example with immersive audience engagement activities, impactful career development, education, and extensive community outreach programs. https://chicagosinfonietta.org.

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