PHILADELPHIA (May 28, 2025) – The Mann Center for the Performing Arts today announced the public phase of a bold $70 million campaign—the most ambitious fundraising effort in its history. The campaign is designed to transform the audience experience, support artistic programming to celebrate the Mann’s 50th anniversary and the nation’s 250th, and work to secure the future of one of Philadelphia’s most cherished cultural institutions. 

To date, the campaign—The Mann @ 50: Historic Legacy, Bold Vision—has already raised more than $56 million, or 80% of its goal, thanks to early support from more than 50 public, private, and philanthropic partners.

“Turning 50 happens once in a lifetime, and the Mann is celebrating with a vision that both matches the moment and strengthens us with a sustainable position for future generations of audiences and artists,” said Catherine M. Cahill, president and CEO of the Mann. “This campaign is about honoring the past, but more importantly, it’s about building for the next 50 years—making sure the Mann remains a dynamic, inclusive, and world-class destination for arts, culture, and community.”

A Reimagined Gateway to Philadelphia’s Outdoor Music Destination
The campaign’s centerpiece is the reimagined plaza, which will expand to 46,000 square feet, more than three times the space that is currently inside the Mann’s main gates. The largest infrastructure project the Mann has undertaken since its opening, the new plaza will transform the visitor experience upon arrival. The new plaza will feature:

• A grand, main entry canopy
• A Welcome Center with the first-ever enclosed, public spaces, including a Mann Music Hall of Fame with archival objects on display and an interactive Mann jukebox with touchscreen for guests to explore Mann history and the music of the artists who have performed at the venue over its 50 years.  The Welcome Center will also include a gift shop with signature Mann items and apparel.
• The Satell Centennial Wall East, a dynamic, light-and-sound digital wall that will display vivid installations and historical and cultural video productions. This exciting feature, funded by The Satell Family Foundation is made possible by the generous support of Ed Satell, founder and chair of the Satell Institute. Satell calls this new installation a “groundbreaker in terms of advancing technology and production ability to enhance the experience for all who come to the Mann.”
• Interactive digital installations and wayfinding enhancements
• New ticket office
• ADA accessibility enhancements
• Additional restrooms
• Expanded concessions and patron amenities, including a new permanent outdoor bar and seating area
• Stormwater management and green infrastructure
   

A Year of Signature Programming in 2026
In honor of its 50th anniversary and the country’s semi-quincentennial, the Mann will present a slate of original commissions and celebratory performances that highlight the history made on or near the Mann’s campus in 1876, 1976 and, soon, 2026. These signature programs include the following performances with the Mann’s resident companies:

• 1876: Commissioned by the Mann, A Hundred Years On celebrates the 1876 Centennial Exposition that took place in Philadelphia, in part, on what are now the very grounds the Mann occupies. This world-premiere, original work by acclaimed GRAMMY-nominated composer Peter Boyer and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Mark Campbell features The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Crossing. Major support for this program is provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support provided by America250 PA and Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial.
• 1976: 50 Years of Music in the Park – Fifty years ago, music first echoed through the summer air at the Mann. The Mann Center and The Philadelphia Orchestra honor the magic of that opening night in 1976 with timeless works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff for a golden anniversary, rich with harmony and history.
• 2026: BalletX’s The Four Seasons Reimagined – The Mann Center, BalletX, and ArtPhilly unite to present The Four Seasons Reimagined – a groundbreaking world premiere fusion of dance, music, and immersive creative placemaking. Set to a newly commissioned reimagining of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by acclaimed composer Dan Deacon, the work features four of America’s most distinctive choreographic voices, each interpreting a season in a bold, unified vision. Together, they will transport audiences into a vibrant world where art inspires change, sparks hope, and celebrates the beauty and urgency of our planet’s future.

In addition, in 2026, the Mann’s new partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia will come to life with a community-led mural installation, featuring the work of local West Philadelphia artists on view on the street-facing fence line that runs along North Georges Hill Drive and the Highmark Skyline Stage. This vibrant mural will commemorate 2026 by bringing the community together for a monumental and lasting art project that will enhance the visual beauty of the campus and inspire new generations.

Investing in the Mann’s Future
Beyond the reimagined Plaza and 2026 programming, campaign funds are supporting:

• The permanent Highmark Skyline Stage (completed last year)
• The first-ever, total renovation of the Mann’s backstage facilities (completed last year)
• Ongoing campus maintenance and infrastructure improvements
• Growth of the Mann’s endowment and investments to ensure long-term sustainability
• Operating reserves to safeguard its financial future
• Expansion of education and community engagement programs through the recently announced Mann Center Institute for Creative Arts & Community Impact
   

“We’ve been steadily and thoughtfully planning for this moment for years—when Philadelphia will again be on the world stage,” said Cahill. “Through this campaign, we’re ensuring that the Mann is ready to welcome the region and the world to our beautiful campus in Fairmount Park in 2026 and far beyond.”

For more information or to support the campaign, visit MannCenter.org/50.
 

About the Mann Center for the Performing Arts
As one of the foremost outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, a leading non-profit organization, has a historical legacy of artistic excellence as a world-class entertainment destination presenting premier artists, now in association with Live Nation Entertainment. Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars, and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B, jazz and pop take the stage here. The Mann is the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra and has presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since the 1930s. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann hosts more than 400,000 visitors annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s acoustically acclaimed TD Pavilion; picnics, blankets, and music under the stars on its Russ and Wendy Palmer Great Lawn or at the top of the hill at the Highmark Skyline Stage @ the Mann; and dining in Crescendo Gift of Robert and Nanette Zakian, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant. In addition, the Mann Center Institute for Creative Arts & Community Impact reaches tens of thousands of young people annually through free programming and educational initiatives. The Mann's unique setting also provides an unparalleled opportunity to activate the campus's six unique event spaces available to host concert presentations, intimate gatherings, corporate events, and private functions. For more information, visit www.manncenter.org.