PHILADELPHIA, PA — Pennsylvania awarded the Highmark Mann Center $250,000 in state funding to support educational and cultural programming at the publicly owned Philadelphia venue, which draws more than 400,000 visitors annually and serves nearly 5,000 students each year.
The grant comes through a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development program and will provide operational support for the center’s programming, according to state lawmakers who backed the funding.
Highmark Mann, operated by a nonprofit in East Fairmount Park, has more than doubled its attendance since 2015. Along with concerts and other performances, the organization works with Philadelphia public schools to provide arts education to students, including children from underserved communities.
“The Southeast Delegation advocated for this grant, because Highmark Mann is a treasured institution in our region,” state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, chair of the House Democratic Caucus Southeast Delegation, said. “It is much more than a performing arts center — it has also grown to be a leader in educational offerings in the arts.”
State Rep. Roni Green, D-Philadelphia, whose district includes the center, said the venue has also served as a site for community events and educational programs.
The funding was also supported by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, chair of the Philadelphia Delegation.
“For 50 years, the Highmark Mann Center has been a recognizable focal point of the arts, entertainment, and education in Philadelphia and our southeastern counties,” Cephas said.
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