Independence Foundation Honors Edward & Marjorie Rendell
Kimmel Center Space To Carry Their Names
May 8, 2001
The Independence Foundation contributed $3 million to the capital campaign of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in 1998 - the foundation's largest gift since it was created in 1932-and in celebration of that gift has elected to name the choral warm-up room in The Kimmel Center in honor of Edward G. and Marjorie O. Rendell.
The 35' x 52' choral warm-up room will provide rehearsal space for the numerous choral groups that will perform in The Kimmel Center, as well as event space for a broad range of activities.
"Midge and Ed Rendell are a rare couple. They were the leaders, the energizers, the coaxers, the wheedlers, the persuaders and the inspirers who made the Performing Arts Center possible," said Honorable Phyllis W. Beck, chair of the Independence Foundation. "The Independence Foundation wanted to salute them and to remind everyone who comes to the Center of their unique and important role."
"I am thrilled that the Independence Foundation has elected to name the choral warm-up room in honor of the Rendells for their extraordinary role in founding this project and giving it such strong leadership," added Willard G. Rouse III, chairman of the Regional Performing Arts Center. "In so many ways, this project would not have been possible without Ed and Midge, and we are especially grateful to the Independence Foundation not only for their magnificent gift, but for using it to celebrate the pivotal role of the Rendells."
The Rendells played a significant role in garnering the support of the civic and business community to launch this project in the early years of Former-Mayor Rendell's administration.
Mr. Rendell's vision to develop the city as a tourist destination through the creation of attractions such as the Avenue of the Arts, and its crown jewel, The Kimmel Center, is credited with re-igniting the drive to create a glorious new building to showcase Philadelphia's vast performing arts community.
Judge Rendell continues to demonstrate her support for the project as vice-chair of the board of directors of the Regional Performing Arts Center and as chair of the Avenue of the Arts, Inc.
The Independence Foundation was created by William H. Donner in 1932 after the death of his son in 1929. Originally named the International Cancer Research Foundation, the grant-making institution has since expanded its reach beyond the realm of health care to supporting organizations in the greater Philadelphia region with missions dedicated to culture and the arts, public interest legal services and nurse-managed primary health care.
Opening December 16, 2001, the new 450,000-square-foot Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is located at Broad and Spruce Streets along Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly, The Kimmel Center will join the historic Academy of Music to become one of the nation's largest performing arts complexes, and will be administered by the Regional Performing Arts Center. The Kimmel Center features the 2,500-seat Verizon Hall, a state-of-the-art concert hall with acoustics designed by Russell Johnson for the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition, the arts complex will host the annual seasons of the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, American Theater Arts for Youth, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (formerly Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra), PHILADANCO, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero & the Philly Pops®.
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