Proudly cultivating craft since 1967

Your Contemporary Art Center in West Philadelphia.

Summer II Classes & Workshops

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Events

Gallery

Workshops

Classes

Rentals

• Events • Gallery • Workshops • Classes • Rentals

A century-old Victorian home transformed into a space for Arts Education.

The Arts League is the neighborhood hub for arts education in West Philadelphia. Our contemporary art center champions intergenerational learning with a wide array of visual and performing arts programs, classes, workshops and residencies. Historically dedicated to cultivating and sustaining new talent by way of offering consistent paid opportunities, professional development and exhibiting space to the broader arts community. The Arts League functions as an amplifier for creative voices of all backgrounds, providing the space for exploration, growth and joy.

A colorful drawing of a tall, multi-story Victorian house with a porch, stairs, and ornate architecture, isolated on a black background.

Our Goals are:

  • To provide

    …a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to experience the arts

  • To encourage

    …and support the development of the arts in our space and the surrounding community.

  • To bring

    …the arts to the community through partnerships and educational outreach

Memberships

Open Studio, Discounted Classes & More

Classes & Programs

Unique artist-led classes & workshops

Exhibits + Events

Programming in our building and greater community

Current Partners:

The word 'Barnes' in bold black outlined letters inside black boxes, followed by 'West' in black outlined letters.
Logo of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage with layered purple, red, and black paper-like shapes behind it.
Logo for Plaza Art featuring the words 'plazaart' and the tagline 'Artist Materials & Picture Framing', with colorful paint splashes and a picture frame illustration.
Logo of Philadelphia Federal Credit Union with large orange and black text.
A group of people gathered outside a house with a porch, some sitting and others standing, with a signboard advertising an event by The Arts League, and a musician performing in the background.

In 1967, a handful of West Philadelphia artists, art lovers and interested neighbors came together to form what is now The Arts League.

This spirit of innovation and commitment to creativity is still alive at the Arts League today.

Stay up to date!

Empty room with multiple wooden tables and chairs, large windows with decorative bars, and a whiteboard in the corner.

Have your own idea for a gathering?

Rent our space!

The Arts League’s spacious rooms and outdoor area are perfect for dance rehearsals, music recitals, meetings, readings, and private events. To book a space for your event please email rentals@ucartsleague.org with the date, time, guest count and description of your event.

Learn more

News and Events

Make a donation, make a difference

$20

Supply a classroom with high-quality canvases and paints, enabling students to create their own masterpieces.

$50

Support a visiting artist program, allowing students to learn directly from professional artists and gain valuable insights into the art world.

$100

Provides a scholarship for one student to attend a specialized art workshop, enhancing their skills and passion for the arts.

custom amount

Fund a community workshop, bringing arts education directly to underserved areas.

The Values that define us

  • We believe that cost, age, race, culture, sexual orientation, or infirmity should not be an obstacle to enjoying and learning from the arts.

  • We believe in the importance of the arts to enrich individual lives, to improve the quality of life in a community and, therefore, to serve as an important contributor in the community.

  • We believe that the arts can be a great common denominator in uniting diverse communities to explore shared artistic passion.