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Ed Cambron Bio

In July 2009, the Kimmel Center, Inc. appointed J. Edward Cambron as executive director of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), a city-wide arts and cultural festival inspired by the Kimmel Center. In this role, he oversees all aspects of the annual festival, which will take place April 7 through May 1 2011. Mr. Cambron comes to PIFA with almost 30 years experience in arts research, management, marketing and development.

Mr. Cambron spent the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Orchestra Association (POA), where he served in leadership capacities for more than 20 years. After joining the POA in 1987 as subscription manager, he was named director of subscriber and donor services. In 1990, he became assistant director of marketing, and three years later he introduced a new patron services department and served as its director.

With his appointment as director of marketing in 1997, Mr. Cambron assumed responsibility for developing new marketing strategies. He was named vice president of marketing in 1999 and began overseeing public relations in 2003. In 2005, the Orchestra took over management of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®, adding a second brand to Mr. Cambron’s portfolio.

During his tenure at the POA, Mr. Cambron headed up bold new initiatives, including technological and electronic media projects—most notable of which was the global distribution of live Orchestra content via Internet2. He also introduced and led negotiations for Ticket Philadelphia, a collaborative venture between the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The operation now serves all eight of the Kimmel Center resident companies, in addition to all events in Kimmel Center spaces.

Before working for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Mr. Cambron served as director of audience development for the Los Angeles Theater Center, as box office manager for the Theatre Actors of Louisville and as director of marketing for the Florida Philharmonic.

In addition, Mr. Cambron has served on national research advisory committees for several foundations, including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Magic of Music initiative and worked on various committees for the League of American Orchestras (formerly the American Symphony Orchestra League).

A native of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Mr. Cambron holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Louisville.

The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), inspired by the Kimmel Center, launches the city’s arts and cultural scene onto the world stage with a three-week festival featuring Philadelphia performances and activities designed to appeal to loyal fans, as well as the new-to-the-arts crowd. Based on the philosophy of collaboration, creativity and innovation, PIFA programs comprise newly commissioned works, unexpected partnerships with both local and international artists and non-traditional and emerging art forms, along with classic performances that engage residents and visitors alike. With the overarching theme of Paris 1910-1920, PIFA celebrates works from and inspired by the period and the general innovative spirit of the time. Funded in part with a $10 million grant from Philadelphia philanthropist Mrs. Leonore Annenberg, whose vision for a city-wide arts extravaganza shaped the festival, PIFA takes place April 7 through 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.