Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts 2105-2016

Anne Ewers President & CEO
of  The Kimmel Center

Anne Ewers, President & CEO of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts gave an enlightening address on Thursday to an enthusiastic crowd of over 200 invited guests. A lovely luncheon followed.  In her address she clarified the “state of the Kimmel Center”, informed all about its strategic plan and forward looks for the future. Ms. Ewers stated, ”Transforming lives daily through the Arts…That  is the vision of the Kimmel Center.” The Center is comprised of The Kimmel, The Academy of Music and the Merriam Theater. Taken in tandem, it is the second largest performing arts center in the country, second only to Lincoln Center in New York. Ms. Ewers went on to discuss the four main aspects of the Center’s strategic plan. The first is to celebrate the sum of all its parts and maximize their potential.  There are nine resident companies which comprise the Kimmel; Center for the Performing Arts, among them the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philly Pops, the Ballet, Opera Philadelphia,  Broadway Philadelphia, and various other dance, music and arts  groups. The second aspect is reaching a broad and diverse audience by complementing what the resident companies are doing.  In 2014, new audiences increased by 50% thanks to diverse programming like Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin and community partnerships. The third aspect in the strategic plan is determining how to maximize resources - finding ways to partner with the media, having free events in the mall, making the center a business hub for events as well as a hub for weddings. The final feature of the plan is conducting experiments. This year The Kimmel has been one of the producers of American In Paris, which has just received 12 Tony Award nominations. Ms. Ewers said, “One word summarizes the Kimmel Center for this year…Momentum……”  Performances have seen an 18% increase over the past year…10 times more weddings have been booked this year than have been planned before the Hamilton Garden was renovated.  There are 11 Broadway Productions scheduled for the 2015-16 season.  There will be a cabaret residence, partnering with New York’s Joe’s Pub in which four artists will participate. Education continues to be an important aspect with a variety of programs including PNC Grow up Great for the younger child and Show Stoppers .for the high school students. The year ahead guarantees excitement for all. 90%of all income is earned through subscriptions but everyone is urged to donate a little piece of themselves to this wonderful organization to help the magic continue to roll into Philadelphia.