Marian Anderson Award
A History of The Marian Anderson Award
The Award, first bestowed in 1989 by the Marian Anderson Award Foundation, is given to “an American singer of great promise who has already achieved some success in opera, in recital, and in the orchestra/oratorio repertory.” In 1996, in order to perpetuate Marian Anderson’s name and her musical and humanitarian accomplishments, The Marian Anderson Award Fund was established at The Fairfield County Community Foundation by the Marian Anderson Award Foundation under the leadership of June Goodman of Danbury, Connecticut – a neighbor and friend of Ms. Anderson.
In September 2002 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and The Fairfield County Community Foundation initiated a joint collaboration to create a permanent tribute to the historic and artistic achievements of Marian Anderson by presenting a $15,000.00 award every other year to a mid-career male or female American vocalist. Award recipients are selected in the spring of the even numbered years and receive the award and perform in recital at the Kennedy Center in the fall of that year.
At this historic event Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser said, "The programs of the Kennedy Center, the nation's center for the performing arts, gain further distinction with the addition of this distinguished award in the name of Marian Anderson, whose life and career stands as an example to all young artists. One of the greatest of American singers, she followed her muse with steadfast courage, and by force of her personality, will, and talent, changed perceptions and opened the door to success for others."The Marian Anderson Award Recipients
Prior award recipients have been Sylvia McNair, Denyce Graves, Philip Zawisza, Nancy Maltsby, Patricia Racette, Michelle deYoung, Nathan Gunn, Marguerite Krull, Eric Owens, Lawrence Brownlee, and Indira Mahajan.
2008 Marian Anderson Award Recipient
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Marian Anderson Award, chose Indira Mahajan of New York City to receive the 2008 award. Ms. Mahajan created a memorable portrayal of Bess in Francesca Zambello’s new production of Porgy and Bess for Washington National Opera, repeating the role in San Francisco, Dallas, Paris, and Luxembourg. Other roles include Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Violetta in La traviata, and the title roles of Suor Angelica and Lucia di Lammermoor. Her concert appearances include Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, a concert version of Porgy and Bess with the New York Philarmonic at Avery Fisher Hall.
She frequently appears in benefit performances for youth outreach programs and vital artist exchange programs with Asia and India.
Guidelines of The Marian Anderson Award
The Kennedy Center has established a committee of music experts to identify and select the recipients of the Marian Anderson Award. Artists are nominated by opera companies, orchestral and choral organizations, agents, professional music critics and other organizations across the country. The cash award, to be provided once every two years, comes from the Marian Anderson Award Fund at The Fairfield County Community Foundation.
To Submit an Artist for the Marian Anderson Award
Submissions of artists to be considered for the 2010 Marian Anderson Award should be received at the Kennedy Center by January 8, 2010.Artists will not be chosen by live audition and candidates may not nominate themselves. All submissions should include high quality tape or CD recording of the candidate, a resume, a headshot, and a letter of recommendation sent ONLY via UPS or FedEx to: the Marian Anderson Award, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. Please protect photographs by placing them between cardboard. For further information please call 202.416.8081.
