The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Announces Endowed Scholarship

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND
ENSEMBLE ARTS ANNOUNCES
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP,
CREATED IN HONOR OF LEGENDARY SINGER,
CIVIL RIGHTS ICON, AND PHILADELPHIAN,
MARIAN ANDERSON
 
Endowed scholarship will provide annual support for two
Philadelphia-area students attending an Historically Black College
and/or University or a UNCF–Member Institution

FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  (February 26, 2026) – The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts is proud to announce an endowed scholarship program established in memory of Marian Anderson, following the renaming of Verizon Hall to Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The scholarship is in partnership with UNCF, which will begin awarding funds in the fall of 2026, and honors Marian Anderson's enduring legacy while ensuring her impact continues through the next generation of artists and arts leaders. This initiative reflects The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts’ deep commitment to education and to preserving Anderson’s legacy in a lasting and meaningful way.

“We are honored to partner with UNCF to award two students with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Scholarships in honor of Marian Anderson, a Philadelphia trailblazer and Civil Rights icon whose passion, artistry, courage, and commitment to equality reshaped our cultural landscape and opened doors for generations to follow,” said Ryan Fleur, president and CEO. “This work is core to our mission, uplifting local talent and contributing to the rich cultural story of Philadelphia. We believe education is transformational and are excited to see this program come to life in 2026.”

“UNCF believes education is the most powerful pathway to opportunity,” said Richard Lee Snow, Mid-Atlantic Regional Development Director at UNCF. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to expanding access, uplifting talent, and ensuring that students across the Philadelphia region have the resources they need to succeed.”

For the past three seasons, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts has been proud to partner with the UNCF Philadelphia office in a season-long collaboration that deepens access to the arts and creates opportunities for students across the region. In 2024, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts was honored with the Community Champion Award at UNCF’s Mayor’s Masked Ball, recognizing a partnership that has broadened our reach to new audiences in Greater Philadelphia and strengthened our shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists and arts lovers.

As The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts’ partnership continues to grow, we are deepening our investment in students through a lasting commitment to their educational and professional journeys. Beginning in 2026, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts endowed scholarship will be awarded annually to two students from the Greater Philadelphia region who are studying the performing arts or pursuing careers in arts administration at UNCF partner institutions and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country. Applications will open in May 2026 and remain open for one month.

About The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Endowed Scholarship
Eligible students shall submit an online application for the program, complete with a letter of recommendation, a one-page personal statement discussing their involvement in the performing arts and their career of interest, and a current transcript.

Eligible applicants must:
·       Possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
·       Be a permanent resident of the Greater Philadelphia area
·       Be a student who is a performing artist and/or majoring in performing arts administration and/or actively employed/volunteering with a performing arts focused business/program
·       Be a rising college junior that has been accepted to/is currently attending any UNCF-Member Institution or another Historically Black College and/or University (HBCU)

Application details for the scholarship will be announced at a later date. The inaugural application cycle is anticipated to open in May and close in June (dates to be confirmed). The scholarship will be awarded biennially.

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts employees and their children/dependents are not eligible.

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About UNCF
UNCF is one of the nation’s largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students' access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF awards more than 11,000 scholarships totaling more than $62 million. The scholarships support students attending more than 600 US-based colleges and universities including 37 UNCF-Member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram. 

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