Merck & Co., Inc. Grants $3 Million to RPAC
Gift Establishes "Merck Arts Education Center" and Boosts Merck & Co., Inc.’s Commitment to RPAC to $3.5 Million
July 20, 1999
Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC) President Stephanie W. Naidoff today announced a grant of $3 million from Merck & Co., Inc. This new gift brings Merck’s total commitment to the capital campaign to $3.5 million. In recognition of this new gift, the arts education center within the complex will be named in Merck’s honor. The "Merck Arts Education Center" will be a focal point for performing arts education of children in the greater Philadelphia region.
"Education is at the core of RPAC’s mission," said Stephanie Naidoff. "Merck’s generous gift makes this mission very tangible. The Merck Arts Education Center will be located in prime space within the new building. It will serve generations of students, enriching their lives and building the audiences of tomorrow."
"The Merck Arts Education Center will touch the lives of countless students throughout this region. One can hardly begin to estimate the many future benefits that will come from making children a part of this great project," said Peter Ernster, Senior Vice President, Business Management at Merck’s U.S. Human Health Division. "We see this as an investment in our future--a way to ensure that culture, art and beauty are essential staples in the lives of our children."
Merck’s $3 million gift comes within days of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge’s announcement of an additional $20 million gift to establish "Commonwealth Plaza". "Merck shares Governor Ridge’s deep commitment to the arts and education. We are honored to be among the people, corporations and organizations helping to make RPAC a reality," said John R. Taylor, Executive Vice President of the Merck Company Foundation. Merck’s $3 million grant is in addition to its $500,000 gift made in 1996.
"When I announced that the state was contributing an additional $20 million towards the Regional Performing Arts Center, I was hoping that more corporations, foundations and individuals would step up to the plate and help RPAC reach its goal," said Governor Ridge. "I want to thank Merck for doing just that with this incredibly generous gift."
Both the Merck gift and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gift are aimed at making the $255 million Center open to everyone. According to RPAC Chairman Willard G. Rouse III, "Our aim has always been to create a center for everyone, a building that invites all. We thank both Merck and Governor Ridge for such a generous endorsement of our commitment to accessibility. With their help, RPAC will be a gathering place for all of us, our children, and our grandchildren."
The Merck Arts Education Center will complement the education programs of RPAC’s seven Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Pennsylvania Ballet, American Theater Arts for Youth, Philadanco, Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. It will occupy approximately 4,000 square feet. Visible both from Commonwealth Plaza inside the Center and from the Avenue of the Arts, the Merck Arts Education Center will play a prominent role in the success of RPAC. Its proximity to all of the activity in RPAC will set the tone that learning is a lifelong process.
> index of news releases
> For more information, and to request high resolution images for press use, please
send us a message online.