On June 17, 2021, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Cultural Campus announced a pathbreaking partnership to create a brighter, more inclusive, and innovative cultural future for Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc. (POKC). This new organization will reimagine the power of the arts to bring joy, create community, and effect change—to uplift all Philadelphians. We have united from a position of strength to bring the greatest performances and most impactful education and community programs, in-person and digitally, to the diverse audiences of Philadelphia and beyond.
Kimmel Cultural Campus
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ mission is to engage the region's diverse communities with art through performance and education. Serving more than 1-million guests per year, the Campus includes the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, and SEI Innovation Studio), the Academy of Music, and the Miller Theater (formery the Merriam Theater) – representing more than 160 years of rich history for the performing arts along Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, the Kimmel Cultural Campus is the region's most impactful performing arts center and the second largest in the country. It serves as a preeminent and inclusive place to enjoy exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of our region by cultivating a creative and socially responsible environment where the community shares experiences that are delivered with pride, integrity, and respect.
Learn More: History | DEIA | Community Impact | Programming
"The only way forward is collaboration."
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the world’s preeminent orchestras. Through performances, programming, and educational and community initiatives, the Orchestra shares the transformative power of music and creates joy, connection, and excitement through music regionally, nationally, and globally. The Orchestra originally performed at the Academy of Music, and in 2001 moved to its home at the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Verizon Hall. With Yannick Nézet-Séguin, now in his 10th season as the music director, the ensemble performs annually at Carnegie Hall and during residencies at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. The Orchestra is committed to bringing classical music to communities wherever they may be and discovering new and inventive ways to nurture its relationship with loyal patrons, with programs like HearTOGETHER, weekly broadcasts on WRTI-FM, a national radio series on SiriusXM, and more.
Learn More: History | DEIA | Performances | Education and Community
"It's really a coming together of strengths"
Bringing together over 50+ arts organizations from across the city and greater Philadelphia region, POKC ushered in the start of the 2021-22 arts season.
The partnership allows us to join forces with an organization that shares our values and is similarly dedicated to shaping young minds through the arts.