Season-Long Partnership with UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Philadelphia

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS ANNOUNCE SEASON-LONG PARTNERSHIP WITH UNCF (UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND) PHILADELPHIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 16, 2023) –The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Cultural Campus announce a 2023-24 season-long community partnership with UNCF (United Negro College Fund) — an organization that envisions a nation where all Americans have equal access to a college education that prepares them for rich intellectual lives, competitive and fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship, and service to the nation. The two organizations decided to deepen their relationship following a pilot partnership agreement earlier this year with key performances of Drumline Live and Black Panther Live with The Philadelphia Orchestra. A percentage of all tickets sold benefited UNCF scholarships and member schools.

“A commitment to education and to diversity are central to our mission and values, which align with the goals and objectives of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF),” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center. “We are excited about the possibilities that a season-long partnership can bring as we work together to uplift the city’s youth.”

“Partnerships like this one are an investment in the future of youth in the Philadelphia region,” said Richard Lee Snow, Mid-Atlantic Regional Development Director (UNCF). “We are grateful to once again partner with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, this time over the course of a year, to drive awareness to each other’s missions and work toward the betterment of our community.”

The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Cultural Campus are further supporting the work of UNCF Philadelphia with a portion of ticket proceeds, alongside ticket offers to UNCF constituents across the 2023-24 season; invitations to receptions, openings, and influencer events; and a special reception prior to The Philadelphia Orchestra’s "Mitsuko Uchida Plays Ravel” on June 2, which will feature a Philadelphia Orchestra commissioned world premiere concerto by Valerie Coleman.

Both parties will be working together throughout the year, pursuing cast appearances and master classes, when possible, at UNCF events; Project 440 College Fair participation; encouraging UNCF partner schools and students to pursue internship opportunities with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Cultural Campus; and working for the success of UNCF’s Mayor’s Masked Ball 2024. The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Cultural Campus will receive the “Community Champion” award at this prestigious event in March.

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About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20% of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

About The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center brings the greatest performances and most impactful education and community programs, in-person and digitally, to the diverse audiences of the city, and beyond. We are reimagining the power of the arts to bring joy, create community, and effect change—to uplift all Philadelphians.

Our Mission

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, share the transformative power of the performing arts and arts education with the widest possible audience.

Our Vision

To inspire and connect humanity with exceptional performances and experiences serving Philadelphia and the world.

Our Values

• AUTHENTIC: We communicate openly and honestly and act with acceptance, integrity, and respect.
• COLLABORATIVE: We are conveners, bringing people, institutions, and ideas together.
• EXCEPTIONAL: We are committed to quality and innovation. We engage our audiences and communities with exceptional experiences.
• INCLUSIVE: We seek and value diverse perspectives, modeling equity and access in all we do. We pursue diversity on and off our stages.

Our values are based upon our fundamental principles of IDEAS, Accountability, and Fiscal Responsibility.

Learn more about The Philadelphia Orchestra here: www.philorch.org

Learn more about the Kimmel Cultural Campus here: www.kimmelculturalcampus.org

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For photography, please visit https://kcccpress.smugmug.com

For a PDF version of this press release, click here.