Kimmel Center Hosts First Annual Bill Rouse Symposium

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is proud to host an inaugural Bill Rouse Symposium on Monday, November 19, 2018 in the Center's rooftop Hamilton Garden. Paying homage to the great legacy of the late Philadelphia developer Bill Rouse, this event, entitled Shaping a City, Then and Now will explore themes of leadership, visionary business and civic development, and the future of the City of Brotherly Love.

Moderated by Brian Tierney (CEO, Brian and Realtime Media), the distinguished panel of Philadelphians includes: John Fry (President, Drexel University); Bill Hankowsky (Chairman, President, and CEO, Liberty Property Trust); Dan Hilferty (President and CEO, Independence Blue Cross); Feather Houstoun (Senior Advisor, Wyncote Foundation); and Joe Neubauer (Retired Chairman of the Board and CEO, Aramark Corporation).

"We are honored to spearhead the first annual Bill Rouse Symposium at the Kimmel Center, an institution whose very existence is due to the determination and vision of Bill Rouse himself," said Anne Ewers, President & CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. "Gathering together those who had the privilege to know and work alongside Bill, this panel will look forward, asking who are the leaders of today shaping the future of Philadelphia in ways as big as Bill?"

Willard G. Rouse III (Bill) created and led Liberty Property Trust and its predecessor Rouse & Associates as a unique and visionary developer - launching development projects such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Building, the Society Hill Sheraton, the redevelopment of The Navy Yard, and a generation of new skyscrapers to create a modern skyline. A tough-minded civic leader, Rouse's achievements included We the People, the National Constitution Center; the Pennsylvania Convention Center; and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

As part of its Comprehensive Campaign, the Kimmel Center is raising $10 million to create and establish The Bill Rouse Fund, aimed at enhancing and improving its Cultural Campus facilities. With $4 million already raised, the Broad Street building entrance will be renamed 'The Rouse Entrance' - an expression of welcoming all community members through the doors.

A non-profit performing arts organization, it is the second largest performing arts center in the nation and the most impactful in the Philadelphia region. A home to eight esteemed Resident Companies, the Kimmel Center presents touring jazz, rock, comedy, Broadway, and more. A catalyst for community conversations, the Center hosts yearly residency programs, is dedicated to accessible programming for all ages and abilities, and is a proponent of education programs for Greater Philadelphia school students. Because of Bill Rouse, the Kimmel Center is able to continue pursuing its vision to transform lives daily through the arts.