PRESS RELEASE

Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts Names Rachel Laibson Special Projects Coordinator

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) has named Rachael Laibson special projects coordinator. Among her duties, she will coordinate the programming and marketing initiatives of PIFA’s participating arts and cultural organizations, conduct sponsorship research and prepare economic development reports.

Laibson comes to PIFA with an extensive background in the arts both as a performer and producer. She was a founding member of People Percussion Project, a body percussion and polyrhythmic dance and music troupe and was also a founding member of Playback for Change, an improvisational theatre group. An accomplished oboeist, she toured in France, Switzerland and Germany with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.  She went on to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa before working in the public school arena, leading interagency teams and coordinating after-school enrichment programs.

A graduate of Oberlin College, Laibson later attended the Wharton School of Business where she earned an MBA in Strategy and Marketing and produced the Wharton International Cultural Show. She currently resides in Center City.

The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), inspired by the Kimmel Center, launches the city’s art and cultural scene onto the world stage with a three week festival offering performances, exhibits and events for loyal fans and casual attendees. Based on the philosophy of collaboration, innovation and creativity, PIFA’s programs represent every arts discipline and include more than 100 partners. Offerings include newly commissioned works, classical performances and exhibits, surprising partnerships featuring local and international artists and exciting explorations of traditional, non-traditional, new and emerging art forms. In homage to the artistic energy of Paris 1910-1920, PIFA celebrates works from that era and new creations inspired by the brashly innovative spirit of the period. The festival was made possible by an extraordinary grant from Philadelphia philanthropist Leonore Annenberg, whose vision for a city-wide celebration of the arts shaped its philosophy and programming. PIFA takes place April 7-May 1, 2011. 

For the most up to date information, contact PIFA at (215) 790-5800 or visit pifa.org.

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Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, provides a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents sponsored by Citi and Broadway Series of performances, as well as arts in education and community outreach. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music together serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, Philadanco, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops^®. Kimmel Center, Inc. owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by The Philadelphia Orchestra Association.