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Interlochen Strategic Plan
Looking toward our Centennial
As we approach Interlochen's centennial, we celebrate our leadership in arts education, drawing upon our remarkable success to envision an even brighter future. The resulting plan, Vision 2028, projects transformative outcomes supported by two pillars—The Formative Experience and The Young Artist Destination.
With Vision 2028, Interlochen will:
Meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of every admitted student.
Deliver a life-changing experience that is diverse and inclusive for all.
Inspire students to spend as many years as possible immersed in the Interlochen experience.
Recruit and retain the very best faculty to teach and mentor ambitious young artists.
Welcome more visiting artists across every artistic division whose work here expands our reach and reputation.
Providing permanent support of these transformative initiatives by doubling our endowment.
Our Pillars:
The Formative Experience
Key components of The Formative Experience include exceptional faculty, an outstanding visiting and guest artist program, innovative diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, and life-changing artistic opportunities. At Interlochen, our students develop their artistic potential while cultivating core capacities we define as The Interlochen 5. This holistic approach ensures our students can realize their highest aspirations as artists, performers, and young leaders.
Recruiting and retaining renowned faculty to enrich our curriculum and artistic programs ensures accomplished and passionate educators serve as mentors for our young artists.
Director of Dance Joseph Morrissey instructs Interlochen students inside the Dance Center facility.
Visiting Artists, Artists-in-Residence, and Visiting Faculty bring specialized expertise, new voices, and innovative methods to our campus and depart as ambassadors for Interlochen.
Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Tubist and Interlochen alumna Carol Jantsch (IAC 94-96, 98-99, IAA 99-02) teaches a low brass master class.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming inspires Interlochen students, staff, and faculty to serve as agents of compassion and change. In this work, we are guided by one of Interlochen's core tenets: World Friendship Through the Universal Language of the Arts.
National Public Radio (NPR) reporter and author Eric Deggans presents to Interlochen students, faculty, and staff on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Special Initiatives and Touring Opportunities provide exceptional experiences for our students. High-impact program enhancements revitalize the on-campus experience, while expanded touring opportunities empower students to explore major cultural centers and perform on stages beyond Interlochen.
Interlochen students from all seven disciplines perform an original, collaborative, and interdisciplinary piece at the New World Center in Miami, Florida.
Reflecting on the student tour in Miami:
It was an incredible performance. I wrote the script, put on this huge dress, and performed on stage. I worked with dancers, composers, and visiting faculty member Sydney James Harcourt—who is famous and gave me notes! That’s my incentive—to do more, to do better—because I can achieve anything here.
—Sabine, Creative Writing, (IAA 19-21)
The Young Artist Destination
Interlochen is the destination for young artists, where they transform their passion and potential into purpose. We believe that every student with the talent and drive to benefit from our programs should have the opportunity to attend Interlochen, regardless of financial means. The Young Artist Destination initiative ensures we can provide access to our world-class programs, through financial aid, merit awards, and global scholarships, to deserving young artists.
Interlochen aspires to to meet the full demonstrated financial need of every admitted aspiring young artist from around the globe through increases to Financial Aid.
Merit Awards help Interlochen recruit accomplished young artists with numerous options to pursue their aspirations.
Global Scholarships sustain our international community, ensuring Interlochen students broaden their perspective by developing world friendship through the universal language of the arts.
I crossed the Atlantic from Poland to Interlochen Arts Academy...
So I could follow my dream of playing in American orchestras. I then met the faculty whose goals were to make students curious and interested in the world. Interlochen is about respecting individuality with emphasis on caring about others. It makes me aware that being a motivated young musician means to never be afraid of challenges.
—Zofia, Classical Performance, (IAC 19, IAA 19-21)
Together, as an ensemble of artists and supporters, we will take Interlochen to new heights in its second century and beyond.
—Trey Devey, President