Help
Build the David L. Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts
The performing arts have flourished
at Penn Charter, especially over the past 10 years, and our
superb arts faculty and program attract many families to the
school. Due to the program’s success, Penn Charter has
literally outgrown its current facilities.
The need for a new performing
arts center has been apparent for some time and was identified
as a priority by the strategic planning committee prior to
the campaign. Thanks to Frameworks donors that dream will
become a reality.
The turning point in securing
the future of the new center came toward the end of the campaign
with a lead gift of $3,000,000 from the Kurtz Family Foundation.
Called “the right gift at the right time” by those
involved, the gift was made with the help and guidance of
Jennifer and David Kurtz OPC ’82. The center will be
named for Dave’s father, broadcast pioneer David L.
Kurtz.
Penn Charter hired Voith &
Mactavish Architects (VMA) of Center City to design a center
with:
• a stage capable of holding both band and choir
• a 650-seat theater
• vocal and band practice rooms
• recording facilities
• a lobby art gallery
The new center will benefit
not only Penn Charter but its East Falls neighborhood as well.
Project Update:
Frameworks for the Future raised $9,300,000 for the performing
arts center, which is projected to cost approximately $15,000,000.
Head of School Darryl J. Ford
said the school will fund the difference with new gifts and
financing. The school continues to accept gifts and pledges
for the center. For more information, contact Chief Development
Officer Jack Rogers at 215-844-3460 ext. 111 or jarogers@penncharter.com.
Ford said Overseers and administrators
worked successfully in recent months to refine the project
with a focus on function and cost.
"We have a better building,
a much better building, at a better price," Ford said.
Once final drawings were complete,
the school expected to put the project out for bids with the
expectation of beginning construction in 2008.
|
