PAFA Receives $1 Million Gift for Scholarships

The James J. & Frances M. Maguire Scholarship for Artistic Excellence is the largest scholarship gift from a single donor in PAFA's history

PHILADELPHIA (January 7, 2015) - A $1 million gift from The Maguire Foundation, longtime supporters of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), will make the highest quality of fine arts training available to the most gifted emerging artists.
 
The donation, the largest gift for scholarships from a single donor in PAFA's history, will establish The James J. & Frances M. Maguire Scholarship for Artistic Excellence, a full-tuition scholarship for 11 students entering PAFA between 2015 and 2018.
 
The gift will enhance the PAFA's reputation as the leading place for fine arts education by attracting talented and motivated applicants who will go on to become the artistic, cultural and community leaders of the future.
 
"PAFA is honored to offer The James J. & Frances M. Maguire Scholarship for Artistic Excellence.  PAFA has a 200-year tradition of educating many of the most renowned American artists, and this new opportunity ensures our ability to continue attracting the most promising student artists. We are very grateful to the Maguire family and its Foundation for this generous grant and the scholarship program it makes possible," stated PAFA President and CEO David R. Brigham.
 
The James J. & Frances M. Maguire Scholarship for Artistic Excellence will greatly increase the school's ability to provide financial assistance to students. At present, PAFA awards approximately $3 million in scholarships annually.
 
James J. Maguire stated, "Frannie and I believe art education is an important balance in life and no institution does it better than PAFA!"
 
Three students will be awarded the inaugural James J. & Frances M. Maguire Scholarships to commence studies at PAFA in fall 2015. Three additional scholarships will be awarded to students entering PAFA in both 2016 and 2017, and two more will follow in 2018, for a total of 11 recipients who will receive these awards through their graduation in the 2021-22 academic year.
 
James Maguire, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp., and Frances Maguire, a PAFA National Trustee and alumna, have long been generous supporters of PAFA.
 
The Maguires previously made a naming gift to establish the Frances M. Maguire Gallery in Honor of PAFA Faculty and have supported numerous students at PAFA through the Maguire Scholars Program.
 
For more information about The James J. & Frances M. Maguire Scholarship for Artistic Excellence, visit pafa.edu/scholarships.
 
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ABOUT PAFA
Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America's first School of Fine Arts and Museum. A recipient of the 2005 National Medal of Arts presented by the President of the United States, PAFA is a recognized leader in Fine Arts education. Nearly every major American artist has taught, studied, or exhibited at PAFA. The institution's world-class collection of American art continues to grow and provides what only a few other art institutions in the world offer: the rare combination of an outstanding Museum and an extraordinary faculty known for its commitment to students and for the stature and quality of its artistic work.