Only individual creators may apply to this program. An eligible creator is: 

• An individual composer, songwriter, producer, sound artist, or intermedia artist.
• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident based in the U.S. or its territories. (the LO is unable to provide visas at this time.)

While the Louisville Orchestra is an institution rooted in the Western Art Music tradition, we encourage applications from creators and composers whose backgrounds and experiences lie outside this tradition.

In the application portal, we ask all applicants to submit the following materials: 

• Resume or CV.  
• Three (3) works you feel most strongly demonstrate your voice and technical capacity as a creator. If you have composed works for orchestra or large ensemble, please include them. Submit links to scores, recordings, videos, text, or other documentation appropriate to your work.
• Rank your interest in developing projects for the following community engagement programs:
  1. Family Programming: Create new and entertaining ways for audiences of all ages to engage with the orchestra and its musicians. E.g., a narrative work based upon a piece of literature for our MakingMUSIC program, a project involving creative participation from audience members, or working with small ensembles to create new family programs for our Once Upon an Orchestra series.
  2. Community Engagement: Create collaborative works in partnership with another Louisville-based organization that explores social/cultural themes, engages with the mission/audience of the partnering organization, or connects with listeners beyond the concert hall. E.g., a site-specific installation involving LO musicians, a collaborative intermedia project, composing/orchestrating accompaniments, and leading workshops for Louisville Orchestra Rap School.
  3. Education: Create works that feature or are performed by/for Louisville-area K-12 students, helping them connect with their instruments, the orchestra, and music generally in new ways. E.g., a work designed for young audiences, a piece written to be played by LO musicians and/or students as part of the MakingMUSIC program, co-creating and co-teaching educational workshops or residencies with Louisville-area schools.

• A proposal for an example project you would undertake in one of the above categories (500 words or fewer). Note: this is purely for example purposes and will not necessarily be the project you’ll undertake if selected. 
• Responses to each of the following questions (500 words or fewer per question):
  1. Describe your artistic goals, methods, or process. What is most important to you in your creative practice?
  2. Describe why this opportunity interests you and how you envision it will help you to advance your creative goals as an artist.
  3. Describe your community—however you choose to define it—and your and your work's relationship with it. 
  4. Discuss what methods of public discourse (e.g., presentations, social activities, etc.) you consider helpful in sharing and creating conversations about your work.
  5. Describe your ideal (most productive, creative, relaxing) day in as much detail as possible. What would you do? Where would you go? What would your schedule be like? 

The LO assembles a Selection Committee to determine each year’s three finalists. The committee will consider creators from a variety of backgrounds who have distinctive artistic voices, are dedicated to community and educational outreach, and care deeply about grounding their musical practice in social engagement. The committee will evaluate the applications according to the following criteria: 

• Artistic Craft (50%): 
  • Strong sense of the creator’s voice. 
  • Technical proficiency. 
  • Quality of work samples (“quality” always being defined by a cultural context) 

• Community Orientation (40%): 
  • Capacity to develop and execute community engagement projects, both self-directed and in partnership with the LO. 
  • Willingness and ability to cultivate relationships with local cultural and educational organizations, the other creators in the cohort, and citizens of Louisville.
  • Desire to be an active and visible presence in the Shelby Park neighborhood

• Mutual Benefit/Impact (10%):  
  • The degree to which working with the Louisville Orchestra will help realize the applicant's vision
  • The degree to which participating in the residency will benefit all parties (the creator, the orchestra, and the community)

The judging process will take place in three rounds. After the initial screening and two review rounds of applicants' submitted materials,  the judging panel will select semifinalists who will be invited for brief Zoom interviews with the panel. At the end of the third round, the panel will select three finalists to invite to participate in the program for each season. The judging panel will consist of Music Director Teddy Abrams, musicians and members of the LO staff, community partners, and established composers, performers, and curators.

Application for 2026-27 Season is Now Open! Deadline to apply is August 22, 2025. For specific questions, please reach out to Creators Corps Program Manager Jacob Gotlib at jgotlib@louisvilleorchestra.org.