The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., and City & State PA to Host Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy of Philadelphia

(Philadelphia, February 2, 2023)––Among the crucial issues facing Philadelphia as the city continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and improve economic outlook is the next mayor’s commitment to the performing arts and cultural economy. The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., in partnership with City & State PA, the premier multi-media news organization dedicated to Pennsylvania’s state and local government, political, and advocacy news, will host a Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, a free public forum where Philadelphia’s mayoral candidates will have the opportunity to share their visions for the future of the performing arts in Philadelphia and their commitment to the creative and cultural economy. Taking place on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 6:00 PM, in the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the event will be moderated by Jenny DeHuff, City & State PA editor-in-chief, and Ari Mittleman, host of Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast. Tickets for the general public will be made available on Monday, February 6, at 10 AM at

www.kimmelculturalcampus.org/mayoralforum.

Arts and culture organizations are an economic force in the Philadelphia region. In total, regional arts and culture audiences spend upward of $890 million on related purchases each year. Surveys indicate that 89% of arts and culture audiences are voters. In attendance at the forum will be representatives from the Resident Companies of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., and other arts organizations from the region.  

“A convener bringing people, institutions, and ideas together, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., is uniquely poised to host this mayoral forum on the performing arts,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “Investment in the cultural economy of Philadelphia is imperative for our city to thrive. We look forward to hearing from the candidates as they articulate their vision for the future of the creative and cultural economy of Philadelphia.”

“With a mayor’s race this crowded, it will be interesting to see what unique ideas each candidate brings to the table addressing the city’s commitment to a well-funded and thriving cultural community,” said Susan Peiffer, publisher of City & State PA. “A priority for the next mayor will be answering the call to ensure our world-class cultural institutions play a key role in keeping Philadelphia safe and welcoming to tourists.”