The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts and Temple University announced on March 5 a new partnership aimed at connecting North and South Broad Street as a continuous civic corridor for creativity, learning, and community engagement.
The collaboration is intended to strengthen the link between higher education and the performing arts in Philadelphia. It will include artist residencies, master classes, expanded student internships, fellowships, experiential learning opportunities, and enhanced pre-K–12 arts education programming within the School District of Philadelphia. The agreement was formalized through a recently signed memorandum of understanding.
Temple President John Fry said, “For so many reasons, this partnership makes perfect sense. Both Temple and The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts presently have great momentum, and we also have similar goals when it comes to supporting the Philadelphia arts ecosystem. This collaboration builds on that momentum by helping to activate the Avenue of the Arts as a connected educational and cultural landscape stretching from North Broad to South Broad. As with our recent partnership with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the greatest beneficiaries will be our students, faculty, staff and the broader Philadelphia arts community.”
Ryan Fleur, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, said, “This partnership represents an exciting next step in how we serve Philadelphia. At its heart, this work is about accessibility and civic impact—making the arts a visible, meaningful part of everyday life in our city. By connecting our stages with classrooms, our artists with students and our venues with a leading educational institution, we’re strengthening Philadelphia’s cultural fabric and investing in its future. I’m especially energized by the opportunity to expand access, elevate local talent and ensure that the arts continue to play a vital role in how our city learns, connects and thrives.”
The announcement follows recent growth for The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts in audience numbers as well as educational outreach programs serving over 40,000 students annually. The organization presents diverse programming at venues such as Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts along South Broad Street.
Temple University’s acquisition of Terra Hall this past February further supports this initiative. Terra Hall will house parts of Boyer College of Music and Dance including its Dance Department, music technology program, and Music Preparatory Division. The proximity created by Terra Hall is expected to foster integrated learning experiences between Temple students and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Both institutions have longstanding connections through shared alumni relationships; orchestra musicians who teach at Temple; regular performances at Ensemble Arts venues; as well as commitments to education and community engagement. Over 3,000 students across Boyer College; School of Theater, Film & Media Arts; Tyler School of Art & Architecture are expected to benefit from direct collaboration opportunities.
In coming months both organizations plan to identify additional ways they can collaborate for greater civic impact.
