Kimmel Center Announces Arts Partners Pilot Program Providing Greater Access to Arts for Five Local Organizations
APRIL 23, 2009Kimmel Center Inc. announces new Arts Partners initiative, a pilot program funded by the Barra Foundation for 10 months, beginning December 31, 2008 and runs through September 30, 2009.
The Arts Partners program allows for five Philadelphia-based organizations – Taller Puertorriqueño, Destiny Productions, The Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, African Cultural Alliance of North America, and Centro Nueva Creación— to develop a cultural partnership with the Kimmel Center that provides greater access to arts programming and educational opportunities for their constituents. To date, 500 students have participated in the program.
A new model for community based organizations to increase educational opportunities and exposure to the arts at the Kimmel Center, the Arts Partners program allows for an organization to author their own experiences at the center. Working in tandem with Kimmel Center staff, an organization selects which Kimmel Center programming is most relevant to their core mission and values, and may utilize the center's facilities for public engagement activities around performances or for stand-alone activities. Arts Partners also have the opportunity to experience performances with pre- and post-show artist chats and other events that may enhance the artistic experience for the group.
Additionally, transportation is available through the AETNA-Kimmel Bus Program, which underwrites all transportation costs for Arts Partners to and from the Kimmel Center.
"We are excited to be entering our initial phase of the Arts Partners program," said Kimmel Center President and CEO Anne Ewers, "Thanks to the generous support of the Barra Foundation, the Kimmel Center is now able to institute this unique model for local organizations to create rewarding, long lasting relationships with our center as we continue to develop educational opportunities in our community."
"The Barra Foundation is thrilled to support the Kimmel Center in developing the new Arts Partners initiative," said Barra Foundation President William Harral.
"It has been such a pleasure partnering with the Kimmel Center," said Lisa Ndiaye, board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. "Through the Arts Partners initiative, 140 of our students have had the amazing opportunity to interact with top quality performers, who engage in teaching others social responsibility, thereby reinforcing one of our core values."
Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®. Kimmel Center, Inc.'s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents, sponsored by Citi and Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia has been serving children since 1887 and is a member agency of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia is the "Positive Place for Kids." Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Clubs are located in Bridesburg, Frankford, Germantown, Nicetown, West Kensington, North Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, Fairmount, Feltonville, and Wissahickon. There are also extension sites at Solis-Cohen and Sullivan elementary schools. The Clubs offer proven and effective educational and leadership development programs for kids from pre-school through 18.
Since 1994, Centro Nueva Creación, a small non-profit community center, has been building hope in the West Kensington and Fairhill neighborhoods of North Philadelphia by creating opportunities for youth and families to transform their community. Their mission is realized through child-centric holistic education programs in art, literacy, and technology.
Destiny Productions Theater Ensemble is designed to provide an opportunity for inner-city youth to learn acting skills, increase cultural enrichment, provide instruction in creative expression and to provide opportunities to meet and interact with professionals in the creative arts. The participants are encouraged to make and reach goals to improve their quality of life.
Taller Puertorriqueño was established in 1974 by Latino artists and activists in the North Kensington area of Philadelphia, and is nationally recognized as a model organization that uses the arts as a vehicle for social change. Taller provides audiences and neighbors with safe facilities, creative outlets for youth, and education programs that underscore the rich Puerto Rican heritage. One of their initiatives includes a community based graphic arts workshop to provide cultural training alternatives to local youth. The workshop has been a vital resource to the barrio and to the region. Their work continues to present a "first voice" account of Latino accomplishments.
The African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) was founded in 1999 in order to bridge the gap between the African immigrant and the American community. It was incorporated in October 1999 as a response to the overwhelming requests for help by the African refugee, asylee and immigrant community members in dealing with the stressors associated with adjusting to their new community. The agency's mission is to help refugee and immigrant families access health and other social benefits with special focus on women, children, youth and the elderly in their resettlement process in Pennsylvania; mobilize African cultural artesian, performing and recording artists to create an awareness of the African Culture; promote the preservation of cultural values as well as support artists efforts to promote their own vocations in their new environment.
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