The Chicago Sinfonietta will pause artistic and educational activities at the end of its 2025-26 season this month amid financial challenges, the organization announced Thursday<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n A spokesperson confirmed that the group will lay off its seven administrative staffers, leaving President and CEO Sidney Jackson as the only full-time employee. The orchestra will still play this weekend\u2019s concerts, including a rendition of Gershwin\u2019s \u201cRhapsody in Blue,\u201d a tribute to Miles Davis and a performance of William Dawson\u2019s \u201cNegro Folk Symphony,\u201d in Naperville and Evanston.<\/p>\n Sidney Jackson Jr., President and CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta poses for a portrait along the Chicago River in downtown Chicago on February 26, 2026. <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The orchestra plans to relaunch public programs in 2027, which marks its 40th anniversary. It will also present a fundraising event tied to MLK Day. <\/p>\n Concert attendance and audience contributions have not returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, according to a statement. As a result, the organization will focus on fundraising and sustainability planning during a \u201cstrategic renewal period.\u201d Patrons can visit chicagosinfonietta.org\/give<\/u><\/a> to make donations, which will be matched up to $25,000 by an anonymous donor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we have made significant mission-driven and programmatic progress in recent years, we cannot be sustainable if we don\u2019t make changes to our operating model,\u201d said Chicago Sinfonietta CEO Sidney Jackson in a release. \u201cThis strategic pause will allow us to reimagine future artistic and educational programs that will also be financially positive. Future seasons and programming may look different but will be rooted both in our mission and a growth mindset, operating from a position of strength and sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n Janice MacDonald, left, and Dileep Gangolli, right, of the Chicago Sinfonietta play outside at the Back of the Yards Coffeehouse at 2059 W 47th St in Back of the Yards, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n Anthony Vazquez\/Sun-Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Paul Freeman founded the Chicago Sinfionetta in 1987 with a mission to advance equity in classical music by developing diverse talent and reaching underserved audiences. The organization\u2019s pause in programming is happening during a precarious time for the arts sector. In the last year, President Donald Trump has criticized the Smithsonian<\/u><\/a> for \u201cdivisive, race-centered ideology\u201d and made cuts to federal arts funding<\/u><\/a> for organizations that fail to prohibit programs supporting diversity, equity and inclusion<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSecuring the future of this organization is crucial,\u201d Music Director Mei-Ann Chen said in a statement. \u201cBeing entrusted with its musical identity by Maestro Freeman himself and the board 15 years ago is an artistic responsibility I treasure, especially for the unique mission championing DEI through innovative programming. I am proud to stand by and honored to work with Sinfonietta\u2019s musicians \u2014 without their shared passion and talent, Maestro Freeman\u2019s vision would not exist today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Janice](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/62666e1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2500x1667+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F94%2F41%2F7fa88b36451f903165296ee99447%2Fcoffeehouse-080621-05.jpg\")
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