PNC Bank And The Kimmel Center Help Improve Preschool Readiness With $1 Million
October 14, 2006
Preschooler Amitav Nott makes music in Commonwealth Plaza.
Investments in early arts education are investments in the future. That's why PNC announced a $1 million grant from The PNC Financial Services Group, through the PNC Foundation, for the Kimmel Center’s endowment - with interest from the endowment earmarked to support the Kimmel's preschool education programs. This is the most recent demonstration of PNC's deep commitment to children and education through PNC Grow Up Great, a 10-year, $100 million investment, and the most comprehensive corporate-based school readiness program in the nation.
Young children from all walks of life will benefit from the PNC-sponsored arts education programs at the Kimmel Center. In the first year alone, PNC will fund six Free in the Plaza/PNC Grow Up Great musical performances at the Kimmel Center on Saturday mornings designed for children under five years-old, which are open to the public but target lower income communities; the new 'Bop and Swing' program which brings 45 music and movement classes to urban Head Start classrooms at the George W. Nebinger Elementary School; and 10 scholarships for low-income preschoolers to the Temple University's Music Early Childhood Music Program held at the Kimmel Center each Monday throughout the school year. The programs are designed to grow over the life of the gift. For more information about the Kimmel Center’s education programs, go to: http://www.kimmelcenter.org/education.
"The arts are an important part of early education and children deserve to receive the quality education they need," says J. William Mills, III, President, PNC Bank in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. "We are happy to support The Kimmel Center in their dedication to the children of this region, which mirrors PNC Grow Up Great’s own goals."
"The Kimmel Center's education programs have grown over the years and this generous grant from The PNC Financial Services Group represents a significant step forward in that growth, one we know will have an important impact on the lives of young children," said Kimmel Center Acting President and COO Natalye Paquin. "PNC's commitment to early childhood education is unparalleled and we're proud to be able to partner with them. Their gift to the Kimmel Center Endowment ensures long-term viability and outreach to children who need and deserve arts enrichment for a more successful life ahead."
"One study indicates that for every $1 spent on quality early education society reaped $17 in long-term savings," said Mills. "In other words, if we improve early childhood education now, we won't have to spend nearly as much money later on other things that contribute little to our economic growth and divert our economic resources. Perhaps even more important, investing in our children is simply the right thing to do for the future economic health of our nation, our state and our region."
PNC Grow Up Great was founded by The PNC Financial Services Group to help prepare children from birth to age five - with a focus on underserved children - for success in school and life. Funded by the PNC Foundation, Grow Up Great and PNC Crezca con Exito, its Spanish-language equivalent, are committed to helping produce stronger, smarter and healthier children, families and communities.
The PNC Foundation actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of the community, especially those services that assist in the development of preschool children for success in school and life.
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations, providing regional community banking; wholesale banking, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.
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 together 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 and Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
> index of news releases
> For more information, and to request high resolution images for press use, please
send us a message online.