Modernism Week awards record 20 scholarships, helps raise $2.6 million for local causes – The Palm Springs Post
The festival reached a milestone this year by awarding 20 college scholarships totaling $93,750, its largest number in a single year. The scholarships encourage future talent to continue to stay in the Coachella Valley.
Modernism Week announced that the 11-day festival in February and the four-day festival last October enabled dozens of Coachella Valley organizations to raise nearly $2.6 million through ticket sales from official events, including more than $735,000 raised by local neighborhood organizations from home tours.
The festival reached a milestone this year by awarding 20 college scholarships totaling $93,750, its largest number in a single year. The scholarships provide financial support and encourage future talent to continue to grow and stay in the Coachella Valley.
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Since the scholarship program began in 2011, more than $400,000 has been awarded to local students.
“Awarding Modernism Week scholarships is one of the most rewarding and impactful aspects of our work each year,” said Lisa Vossler Smith, the organization’s chief executive officer. “There’s no greater investment than in the future of our local students. By helping them access the education and training they need to thrive, we’re not only supporting individual success— we’re strengthening the fabric of the Coachella Valley community for generations to come.”
This year, Modernism Week featured 28 neighborhood tours showcasing around 175 homes and attracting more than 10,000 participants. Tours included neighborhoods like Old Las Palmas, Historic Tennis Club, Little Tuscany, Canyon View Estates, and Villa Roma.
Many neighborhood organizations used tour proceeds to fund community improvements including architectural restoration, infrastructure upgrades, and landscape beautification projects.
Several neighborhoods donated portions of their proceeds to local charities including Palm Springs Modernism Committee, FIND Food Bank, and the Palm Springs Police Department Officer’s Fund. For example, The Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood Organization contributed $3,000 each to the police and fire departments, $2,500 to the Rebuild Palm Springs effort, and thousands of dollars more to multiple service organizations and non-profits.
In addition, partner organizations including Palm Springs Historical Society, Palm Springs Art Museum and Palm Springs Preservation Foundation generated more than $1.2 million through official Modernism Week events in 2024-2025.
“Modernism Week has a long-standing history of helping other organizations raise funds to benefit the local community,” said William Kopelk, Modernism Week board chairman. “One of the most important outcomes of Modernism Week events each year is the opportunity for our neighborhood and partner organizations to raise funds to support preservation, education, civic improvements, or to reinvest back into other local charities.”
The organization also provided grants including donations to the Palm Springs Rebuilding Fund and a $10,000 grant for Los Angeles Fire Relief through the California Community Foundation. Further afield, Modernism Week created a partnership with the National Landmark Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, underwriting costs for a summer preservation intern.
Modernism Week will hold its annual October event this year from the 16th through 19th, with tickets going on sale Aug. 1. It’s major annual event in 2026 will take place Feb. 12 through 22, with tickets available Nov. 1.
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Palm Springs’ annual Modernism Week returns Feb. 13 through 23, featuring more than 500 events celebrating midcentury modern architecture and design.
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