MARIAN ANDERSON AWARD TO HONOR MIA FARROW
Award Gala with The Philadelphia Orchestra will take place on May 10, 2011

Philadelphia, PA–January 14, 2011 –Mayor Michael Nutter announced today that Mia Farrow – actress, humanitarian, and activist– will receive the 2011 Marian Anderson Award. Ms. Farrow will accept the Award at a Gala Concert produced in partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra, which will take place on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

In making the announcement, Mayor Nutter noted, “Mia Farrow is one of the most committed artist activists in the world. Her work on behalf of children’s rights, in raising awareness for children in conflict affected regions, and on behalf of refugees around the globe is unparalleled and we are honored at her decision to accept this year’s Award.”

Since 2004, Farrow has traveled to the Darfur region of Sudan thirteen times and written extensively about the genocide, most notably in op-ed pieces for the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, and LA Times. She blogs and posts relevant articles and analyses on her website: www.miafarrow.org. The site contains her entries from Darfur, Chad, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Uganda, Congo and Haiti, as well her op-ed pieces and photographs which have appeared in publications and exhibitions around the world. She has spoken extensively about the Darfur crisis and human responsibility across the US and Canada, as well as at US Senate and Congressional hearings and the United Nations Security Council. In 2007 Farrow helped to secure the liberty of a respected rebel commander who was unjustly imprisoned in Sudan by publically offering to exchange her freedom for his. In 2009 she undertook a hunger strike to protest the expulsion of humanitarian agencies from the Darfur region. She is currently working on her own project, The Darfur Archives, documenting the cultural traditions of Darfur’s major ethnic tribes. In 2008 Mia Farrow was selected by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in the world.

A critically acclaimed actress who has appeared in more than forty films, in addition to work on the stage and television, Mia Farrow is equally known as an unrelenting advocate for human rights. Her primary focus has been on conflict-affected regions in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2004, Farrow has traveled to the Darfur region of Sudan thirteen times and written extensively about the genocide, most notably in op-ed pieces for the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, and LA Times. She blogs and posts relevant articles and analyses on her website: www.miafarrow.org. The site contains her entries from Darfur, Chad, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Uganda, Congo and Haiti, as well her op-ed pieces and photographs which have appeared in publications and exhibitions around the world. She has spoken extensively about the Darfur crisis and human responsibility across the US and Canada, as well as at US Senate and Congressional hearings and the United Nations Security Council. In 2007 Farrow helped to secure the liberty of a respected rebel commander who was unjustly imprisoned in Sudan by publicly offering to exchange her freedom for his.

In 2009 she undertook a hunger strike to protest the expulsion of humanitarian agencies from the Darfur region. She is currently working on her own project, The Darfur Archives, documenting the cultural traditions of Darfur’s major ethnic tribes. In 2008 Mia Farrow was selected by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in the world.

In commenting on her decision to accept the Marian Anderson Award, Mia Farrow stated that, “I am deeply honored to accept this prestigious award, and I do so in the name of the many men, women and children I have met throughout my travels-- the world's most vulnerable and neglected people. They embody the spirit of Ms Anderson herself: tremendous courage, resilience and humanity while facing unspeakable adversities.”

Pamela Browner White, Chair of the Marian Anderson Award, spoke about the Award:” The selection process is extremely difficult as the artists we honor are rare. They are men and women who combine great creativity with great generosity, great leadership and, in the case of this year’s honoree Mia Farrow, great courage. Her years of humanitarian work in countries such as Darfur, Sudan, Chad and Haiti demonstrate a singular commitment to those in great need. It is our hope that through this year’s Award that we can support her important work and that we can draw attention to the efforts she has undertaken on behalf of so many.”

Browner White went on to say, “Part of our work is to encourage young men and women facing adversity to follow their dreams inspired by people like Marian Anderson and our honorees. Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Richard Gere, Oprah, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis… these are giants of our culture. It is truly an honor that Mia Farrow will join them as the 2011 Marian Anderson Award recipient.”

“The Philadelphia Orchestra is proud to partner with the Marian Anderson Award to honor Mia Farrow, one of the great humanitarians of our time,” commented Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. “Invoking the power of music in the legendary singer’s name is a fitting way to pay tribute to Ms. Farrow, and we look forward to joining in this community celebration.”

MARIAN ANDERSON AWARD

The Marian Anderson Award honors artists whose leadership on behalf of a humanitarian cause(s) or issue benefits society. Previous recipients include Bill Cosby (2010) Maya Angelou and Norman Lear (2008), Richard Gere (2007), Sidney Poitier (2006), Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis (2005), Oprah Winfrey (2003), Danny Glover (2002), Quincy Jones (2001), Elizabeth Taylor (2000), Gregory Peck (1999), and Harry Belafonte, (1998). No Award was given in 2004 or 2009.

Created in 1998, the Award is named for the great Philadelphian and American singer Marian Anderson, and is produced and administered under the direction of J. Patrick Moran. Since its inception, the Award program has provided more than $500,000 in free public programs, residencies, commissions, and grants to young artists.

This year’s Gala Performance, the details of which will be announced in February, will be preceded by the annual black-tie Gala Dinner, also at the Kimmel Center, which is a fundraiser for the Marian Anderson Award and its grant programs that support young artists. Those interested in attending the Gala Dinner, which includes a premium ticket to the Gala Performance, can call the Marian Anderson Award office at 215-893-1837. Single tickets for the Gala Performance will go on sale February 1, 2011 and are available by calling Ticket Philadelphia at 215-893-1999 or by visiting The Philadelphia Orchestra’s website at www.philorch.org.

MARIAN ANDERSON

Marian Anderson, the most celebrated contralto of the 20th century, was born in Philadelphia on February 27, 1897, to an African-American family of modest means. Recognized for her extraordinary musical talent, as well as her generosity and commitment to others, Ms. Anderson was a master of repertoire across operatic, recital, and American traditional genres. Throughout her musical career, she played an incalculably vital role in the acceptance of African-American musicians in the classical musical.

In 1957 Ms. Anderson was appointed by the U.S. Department of State to serve as a Special Envoy to the Far East, and the following year President Dwight D. Eisenhower named her to the post of delegate to the General Assembly of the United Nations. She sang at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961 and in 1963 President Lyndon B. Johnson bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon her. On her 75th birthday, in 1974, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution ordering a special gold medal minted in her honor. On April 8, 1993, Marian Anderson died at the age of 96 in Portland, Oregon.