By using the creative sector, states across America have a viable approach for strengthening economic opportunities and vibrancy in rural communities. Orchestra US galvanizes the talents of 70 extraordinary, engaging, and diverse recent college graduates in music performance and arts management through immersive leadership development trainings and interactive community residency programs, with a 60-member orchestra and 10 arts management fellows, designed to advance and support America’s under-resourced arts community. Key Activities • Partner with under-resourced arts communities to design mutually agreed upon 3-week, full-orchestra residencies which include free performances, workshops, performance pop-ups, local artist collaboratives, and team building seminars with community business leaders • Identify and train 70 recent graduates in music performance and arts management through an 8-week music and leadership intensive on the campus of the University of Southern California with courses in arts-based community development, career training for the 21st century, technology in the new world of music performance & engagement, diversity, and mindfulness • Place fellows in partner communities for arts-based initiatives for a 12-month residency, following the full-orchestra residency, with the objective of advancing and existing or starting a new arts organization in the community Direct Deliverables • Engaging and inspiring immersive Orchestra US community residencies involving each and every stakeholder in all partner towns • Instilling music performance and arts management fellows with a 21st Century perspective and approach to arts-based community development with the desire and the skills to advance or create an arts initiative in an under-resourced arts community • Advancing or creating a new arts initiative within 18 months of the initial full-orchestra residency within every Orchestra US partner community