Jacksonville Symphony Extends Contract with President and CEO Steven B. Libman

The Jacksonville Symphony proudly announces that Steven B. Libman, President and CEO, and the Board of Directors have agreed to extend his contract through June 30, 2028. Since assuming the position as President and CEO in January of 2020, Libman has made significant strides in the Symphony's growth and has secured the Symphony's title as one of Northeast Florida's most prominent cultural institutions and leading nonprofit organizations.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Jacksonville Symphony proudly announces that Steven B. Libman, President and CEO, and the Board of Directors have agreed to extend his contract through June 30, 2028. Libman has served as President and CEO since January of 2020 and has made excellent strides in cementing the Symphony as one of Northeast Florida's most important cultural institutions.

"The board is thrilled that Steven has agreed to extend his leadership role with the Jacksonville Symphony," said Donald Baldwin, Chair of the Jacksonville Symphony's Board of Directors. "Over the last few years, Steven has formed strong relationships with the administrative team as well as with our Music Director Courtney Lewis to help lead every aspect of the organization with excellence. The stability of having Steven serve as President and CEO for the coming years is vital to achieving our mission of serving the community with positive growth and enhancement in the arts and culture."

Libman is a highly successful and respected executive with over 30 years of experience leading major arts organizations. He is nationally recognized for developing an entrepreneurial and creative approach to strategic planning, fundraising, programming, branding, marketing initiatives, institutional growth and problem solving. Previously, Libman has served as the Chief Advancement Officer for the Atlanta Ballet, President and CEO of the Center for the Performing Arts located in Indiana, Managing Director of the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse and Managing Director of the Pittsburgh Ballet.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue leading this great organization," says Libman. "My team and I are deeply passionate and committed to upholding the Symphony's mission to bring joy to the community through performances presented in Jacoby Symphony Hall, our robust music education programs and our ensembles that tour throughout the region. With the support of our loyal donors, corporations, foundations and our local, state and federal governments, I'm excited to see the Symphony continue to flourish."

During the first year of his role, Libman navigated the Symphony's way through the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic with innovative solutions and strictly enforced health and safety protocols so that patrons could still experience the wonders of symphonic performances during such a difficult time. The Jacksonville Symphony was one of only ten orchestras in North America that remained open during this time.

Libman also played an integral role in the creation and implementation of the Jacksonville Symphony's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Statement and Strategic Plan. Libman and his executive team worked with the Bucherati Group, a DEI consulting firm, to conduct an in-depth assessment of the Symphony's current DEI strategies and initiatives and provide solutions for expansion and improvement. Key findings and recommendations from the assessment led to the creation of not only the Symphony's DEI Strategic Plan, but also the DEI Task Force. In December of 2021, Libman appointed Marianne Rice as the Lory Doolittle Endowed Vice President of Music Education and DEI Initiatives, a crucial position that helps implement community and educational school programs that offer a holistic experience of symphonic music while introducing the community and students to music that is expressive and representative to the community.

About the Jacksonville Symphony
The Jacksonville Symphony is North Florida's leading music nonprofit offering live performances at Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and other venues throughout the area. In addition, the Symphony provides music instruction for youth and operates the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras. For more information about the Symphony, visit JaxSymphony.org, like them at facebook.com/JaxSymphony; follow them on @jaxsymphony, on Instagram at JaxSymphony and on YouTube at JacksonvilleSymphony.

Media Contact

Nichole Vanderpool, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, 904.354.4513, nvanderpool@jaxsymphony.org

SOURCE Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra