The Anderson awards, and their many fates

Posted: June 13, 2011

THE ORIGINAL Marian Anderson Award was created by the contralto herself, in 1943, repurposing the $10,000 Bok Prize she was given by the city.

Her goal was to support gifted young classical singers. Her last award was given in 1976, after which the prize money ran dry.

In 1990, a Marian Anderson Award was established by the Marian Anderson Award Foundation, in conjunction with the Kennedy Center, in Washington, to support singers who had already achieved some success. In 2002, the Kennedy Center joined with the Fairfield County, Conn., Community Foundation to present an award every other year. (Anderson lived much of her later life in Connecticut.)

In 1998, Harry Belafonte became the first recipient of Philadelphia's "new" Marian Anderson Award, given to an established artist exhibiting humanitarian leadership. At first a $100,000 prize, in 2010 it was reduced to $50,000.

The award also granted a prize for Emerging Classical Artists, given to promising young classical singers. That award has not been given since 2008, however, because of the sour economy. Surviving is the Young Artist Study Grant, which is given to high-school students. The grants, from $500 to $2,500, vary by specific need and income. This year, $29,000 was handed out.

Meanwhile, the Marian Anderson Historical Society, which had provided assistance to students studying classical vocal music, suspended grants for lack of cash.

- Stu Bykofsky

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