Founded with love.

Fr. Jack Heim

Cincinnati is a city with a long, rich musical tradition - especially when it comes to up-and-coming artists and undiscovered gems.  As someone who deeply loved the arts, Sarah Marvin has been intertwined in the musical tapestry of Cincinnati for decades.

In the late 1970s, Fr. Jack Heim had a visionary idea - a dream to provide the Cincinnati community with intimate concerts featuring top-flight pianists and guitarists.  Starting a concert series would allow him to share his love of instrumental music with his community, as well as provide both new and established performers a chance to introduce themselves to a Cincinnati audience.  With the support of Xavier University and the donation of a concert grand piano, Fr. Heim embarked on a journey which would span over 40 seasons of world class musicians. 
     
An avid music lover, Sarah Marvin began attending the Xavier University Music series shortly after its inception.  Today a prestigious music series, then the XU Music series was an intimate affair of hand-picked artists that performed to small but appreciative audiences.  

Sarah Marvin became enamored with the high quality of the artists that were frequenting the stage - and as it turns out, she had excellent taste!  Names that would later blossom into titans of piano such as Shura Cherkassky, Jeffrey Siegel, and Stephen Hough graced Cincinnati with incredible concerts that often could not be heard anywhere else in the Midwest.

---

Like many grateful enthusiasts, Sarah Marvin first approached Xavier University as a financial supporter.  Her continued involvement throughout the years helped ensure access to world-class artists, and also ensured the vibrance of the local music community in the city.  After years of enjoyment Ms. Marvin felt compelled to take a larger step, thus founding the Sarah Marvin Foundation for the Performing arts.

In establishing the foundation, Ms. Marvin's goal was was to ensure that the city of Cincinnati would have both continued supply of world-class artistic talent and an opportunity to highlight our own local gems as they struggle to establish themselves.  Ultimately, the creation of the Sarah Marvin foundation was a statement of her belief in the power of art, the importance of music, and the vibrancy of Cincinnati.

Currently shepherded by Dr. Neil Dubin and a team of experienced Cincinnati-based arts professionals, the Foundation is still deeply committed to the same beliefs and values that Sarah Marvin had decades ago.  We are grateful to be given the opportunity to have a voice in the Cincinnati arts community, and we look forward to enjoying the continued vibrance of our city with you.