Since 1974, the Avery Fisher Artist Program has given outstanding instrumentalists recognition and support in two categories: Career Grants and the Prize. Career Grants are awarded annually to young artists of exceptional talent to help them build their careers. The Prize is given less frequently as the highest form of recognition for excellence and contributions to classical music. As of 2004, both categories were expanded to include chamber ensembles. The Columbia Center for Oral History Research will undertake an oral history to establish a distinct record of the founding, legacy, and continued work of the late Avery Fisher and the Avery Fisher Artist Program.

Contact

Maurice Ivy Dowell
Project Coordinator
mid2113@columbia.edu

Select interviews

(Please consult "Guidelines for Researchers" at the Columbia Center for Oral History Archives for citation guidance)

Featured

Jody Arnhold

Founder of Dance Education Laboratory at 92Y; Personal Friend of Janet Fisher.

Emanuel Ax

1979 Avery Fisher Prize Recipient; Classical Pianist; Member of the Executive Committee of the Avery Fisher Artist Program.

Mary Lou Falcone

Founder of M. L. Falcone, Public Relations; Overseer of the Avery Fisher Artist Program (1981-2016); Member of the Executive Committee for the Avery Fisher Artist Program.

Charles Avery Fisher

Son of Avery Fisher; President of Fisher Wallace Laboratories; Advisor to the Executive Committee of the Avery Fisher Artist Program.

Nancy Fisher

Daughter of Avery Fisher; Founder of SCAN New York; Interviewer at USC Shoah Foundation; Advisor to the Executive Committee of the Avery Fisher Artist Program.

Pamela Frank

1999 Avery Fisher Prize Recipient; Violinist; Co-Founder of Fit As A Fiddle; Member of the Avery Fisher Artist Program’s Executive Committee.

Polly Kahn

Founder of PK Art Solutions/PK Orchestra Solutions; Former Assistant Director of Lincoln Center Institute; Associate of Mark Schubart, First Chair of the Avery Fisher Artist Program; Member of the Program’s Recommendation Board.

Philip Kirschner

Grandson of Avery and Janet Fisher; Son of Nancy Fisher; Advisor to the Executive Committee of the Avery Fisher Artist Program.

Yo-Yo Ma

1978 Avery Fisher Prize Recipient; Cellist; Founder of Silkroad and The Silkroad Ensemble; Member of the Executive Committee of the Avery Fisher Artist Program.

Joseph W. Polisi

President Emeritus of the Juilliard School; Current Member of the Program’s Recommendation Board; Member of the Executive Committee (1984-2014); Program’s Chairman (2014-2018); Chairman Emeritus, Avery Fisher Artist Program.

Robert Sherman

Radio Commentator; Music Critic; On-Air Host of the Avery Fisher Career Grants (1976-2015)

Research

Avery Fisher Artist Program Oral History

Contact