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Tickets & Events
Celebrating 25 Years of the Kimmel Center

A Landmark for the Arts

The Kimmel Center was designed to be a performance venue and more. Conceived as a home for The Philadelphia Orchestra and a gathering place for all, it brought together architectural innovation, artistic purpose, and civic ambition in a way that transformed Philadelphia's cultural landscape. 


The building is named in honor of Philadelphia native Sidney Kimmel, whose generous contribution and leadership helped make the project possible. Designed by renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, the building is a breathtaking home for the performing arts in the heart of the city.

Meet the Architect

Born in Uruguay and raised in Argentina, Rafael Viñoly grew up in a musical family and originally trained as a classical pianist before turning to architecture. His lifelong admiration for The Philadelphia Orchestra inspired him to design the Kimmel Center as a dedicated home for the ensemble, describing it as “two jewels in a glass box." Viñoly is also known for major cultural works worldwide, including the Tokyo International Forum; renovations to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall. 

An Iconic Building

Spanning an entire city block and 450,000 square feet, the Kimmel Center is home to three separate free-standing structures: Marian Anderson Hall, Perelman Theater, and the vaulted glass-enclosed building. The two theaters sit on isolated structural systems designed to completely block outside noise.

The Roof

The stunning barrel-vaulted glass roof is composed of 5,808 glass panes and is 150 feet high, taller than a 15-story building! Built without a single interior support column, the roof is supported entirely by its sidewalls, creating the building’s open and airy atmosphere.

Glass Curtain Walls

The Kimmel Center has custom-designed glass curtain walls engineered to move with the forces of nature. To withstand extreme winds of up to 80–90 mph, the walls can flex as much as 32 inches, with the glass suspended from one-inch steel cables kept under tension by massive counterweights weighing between 6 to 12 tons. These innovative design elements create strength and stability while ensuring necessary flexibility.

Marian Anderson Hall

At the heart of Philadelphia's cultural landscape, Marian Anderson Hall is home to the GRAMMY® Award-winning Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the world’s most celebrated ensembles. Built for the Orchestra and rededicated in 2024 to honor the legendary Marian Anderson, this is the first major concert venue in the world to bear the name of the legendary contralto, civil rights icon, and Philadelphia native.

Marian Anderson Hall’s Structure

The hall’s distinctive “cello-shaped” design combines acoustical excellence with visual elegance and is home to The Philadelphia Orchestra. In 2024, it was renamed Marian Anderson Hall in honor of the legendary performer and civil rights activist. Built in the classic “shoebox” style found in the world’s finest concert halls, the venue has a seating capacity of 2,547. Its exterior is crafted from rich makore wood, chosen for its durability and resistance to ultraviolet deterioration.

Marian Anderson Hall’s Acoustics

Cantilevered connecting bridges and side tier door panels are designed to prevent unwanted sound transmission while allowing precise acoustic control throughout the hall. An acoustical three-part canopy over the stage, along with adjustable reverberation chambers, helps reflect and extend sound throughout the hall, creating a rich and flexible acoustic environment suited to both modern compositions and great works of the past.

The Organ

Inside Marian Anderson Hall, nearly 7,000 organ pipes form one of the largest concert hall organs in the United States, with pipes ranging in size from a drinking straw to 32 feet tall. The Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ, affectionately known as just “Fred,” is both a visual and sonic centerpiece of the hall. 

Perelman Theater

This more intimate theater, named for Raymond G. Perelman, seats 650 and features a revolving turntable stage that can shift between a smaller recital setup and a larger proscenium configuration for dance and theater productions. Built on a “base of silence,” the theater uses rubber isolation pads, double entry doors with air gaps, and perimeter spacing to block noise from Commonwealth Plaza and the street, while movable acoustic wall panels and adjustable drapery allow the space to be tailored for either instrumental or vocal performances.

Commonwealth Plaza

Designed to resemble the outdoor plazas of Europe, the space creates an open, welcoming public gathering area in the heart of the Kimmel Center. It is named in honor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in recognition of its significant financial contribution and features the state’s great seal embedded in the floor.

Hamilton Garden

Located on the roof of the Perelman Theater, this glass-enclosed space was named for Dorrance H. Hamilton and features sweeping views, transitional glass that adjusts to sunlight, temperature controls, and acoustically treated flooring that prevents sound from disturbing performances below. These features allow the space to serve as a flexible rental venue.

Art

Sculptures, murals, paintings, and mixed media works are displayed throughout every floor of the building, creating a rich and immersive visual experience. Highlights include the Moore College of Art and Design Galleries on Tier 1, showcasing work by students, faculty, and alumni, as well as Arlene Love’s bronze sculpture Eight Figures, also located on the same tier.

Merck Arts Education Center

Named after a generous contribution from the Merck Company Foundation of Merck & Co., Inc., the Merck Arts Education Center is a dedicated learning space designed to expand access to arts education and creative engagement. Since opening, the Center has hosted free curriculum-based arts programs, workshops, performances, and interactive learning experiences, serving thousands of students, educators, and community members throughout the Philadelphia region.

SEI Innovation Studio

The reimagined black box theater is a dedicated venue for artistic innovation, supporting theater, jazz, dance, spoken word, and other creative performances. It has also served as the home for artist residencies, workshops, rehearsals, community programming, and the development of new works before they move to larger stages.