EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 20

MANN CENTER JUNIOR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The Mann Center Junior Fellowship Program, established in 2019 in partnership with Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP), is an introductory program within the Mann’s portfolio of workforce development initiatives. Its core mission is to provide every young person with the opportunity to be inspired by the arts’ sights, sounds, and rhythms through the magic and richness of educational programming. Every year, students submit written and visual applications advocating for their spot in the program based on personal interests, passions, and their relation to the arts. As part of the Mann’s workforce development initiative, the Fellowship Program allows middle schoolers to learn about the career pathways within the music industry.

Participants in the Mann’s Junior Fellowship Program tour the Mann’s campus.

Junior Fellowship Program participants experience the Mann’s stage up close during a backstage tour.

MUSIC INDUSTY TRAINING PROGRAM (MITP)

Students learn music production through the Music Industry Training Program.

MITP is categorized as a Workforce Development program designed to serve young adults, ages 15-23, by offering the structure to viable career paths within the music and entertainment industry. MITP is a 3-year program with a tiered curriculum starting at access and observation and ending in applied skills and practice. Participating students will hear from and work directly with various industry experts, union stagehands, producers, school district educators, and other professionals from around Philadelphia as they develop both the hard and soft skills as guiding points to success. Music Industry Training Program is part of a larger School District of Philadelphia initiative focused on building CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs within various schools throughout the city. As the flagship site for MITP, Overbrook High School serves as the West Philadelphia hub for this citywide Workforce Development effort. Partners include:

• Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Lead Artistic Partner • Live Nation Urban, Lead Program Partner • DASH (Destined to Achieve Successful Heights), Lead Program Partner • Youth of the Culture, Program Partner • Live Nation Philadelphia, Program Partner • School District of Philadelphia, Program Partner • Overbrook High School, Program Site Partner

YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT SERIES (YPCS)

Young People’s Concert Series events are presented free of charge and provide culturally diverse performing arts programs accessible to students, grades K – 12, and families in an informal atmosphere. Events feature internationally acclaimed, emerging, and regional young regional artists on the Mann Center’s Presser Foundation Mainstage. Presented at the TD Pavilion at the Mann, YPCS performances are a welcome opportunity for individuals and groups interested in visiting the Mann campus to do so at no cost.

Photo by Jordan August Photography

VOICES OF HOPE: A BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Voices of Hope, the Mann Center’s annual Black History Month celebration, is a free community event that celebrates African-American culture and influential Philadelphians. The annual celebration honors innovators within a designated field and shines a light on the tremendous achievements of these impactful individuals and groups. The evening also features awe-inspiring performances by professional artists, choirs, dance troupes, and students from around Philadelphia.

Dance students from CAPA performing at 2020’s Voices of Hope: A Black History Month Celebration. Photo by Christopher Kendig.

Dance students from CAPA performing at 2020’s Voices of Hope: A Black History Month Celebration.

Tamala Edwards, Host of 2020’s Voices of Hope: A Black History Month Celebration. Photo by Christopher Kendig. Dance students from CAPA performing at 2020’s Voices of Hope: A Black History Month Celebration.