→ print this page | email this page
Arts Magnifique! Highlights
G. Fred DiBona, Jr. Individual Leadership Award
Marie Field, Chair of One Book, One Philadelphia Program
Joseph Field, Chairman & Founder, Entercom Communications Corp.
Joseph and Marie Field both love literature and music. That’s immediately apparent when looking at their very generous support of numerous Philadelphia-area arts and cultural organizations.
Marie is chair of One Book, One Philadelphia, a program of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and has been for eight years, almost since it started. “Her indomitable spirit and vast connections in our community have led the program through extraordinary growth,” says Siobhan A. Reardon, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
A former school teacher, Marie believes in the “magic of words” and the library’s ability “to touch thousands of people in the region, embracing diversity, building community and raising literacy.” That’s why she and Joe also support other major Free Library programs, including the Teen Author Program, which they endowed.
Equally notable is their life-long interest in – and support of – music. Joe is a violinist and Marie a pianist, and together they have funded all of the video equipment and production for the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as the in-house video for the Curtis Institute of Music. That production capability enables WHYY broadcasts, which they funded, of “Live from Curtis” and “On Stage at Curtis.”
They both also have also endowed the Field Concert Hall and the Groffman Commons at Curtis, the Field Chamber Music Center and Recital Hall at Settlement Music School, the Field Education and Outreach Center at the Mann Center, the International String Artists Concert Series at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and a music program through Musicopia at the Henry R. Edmunds School.
Additionally, they are founding members of the Kimmel Center, major contributors to the Please Touch Museum, and have endowed the Field Fund for Outreach for the Pennsylvania Ballet Company, the From Conflict to Harmony Gallery at the National Liberty Museum, and the Field Research Center at the National Constitution Center.
Presented by:
Individual Leadership Award Selection Criteria
The award recognizes an individual or individuals who demonstrate significant leadership and impact on one or more arts/cultural institutions in the region – and who serve as exemplary models of dedication and vision to our region.
 |
Photographs by Flynn Photography |