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The Creative Student's Guide to Philadelphia Art Education and Careers

...for students of art, design, fashion design, photography, film/video, advertising, interior design and other creative fields.

Visit our Complete Directory of
Philadelphia Art Schools and Art Colleges!

by C.J. Gustafson
ArtSchools.com Contributing Writer

art schools in Philadelphia

While the Dutch had already settled on the site of present day Philadelphia in 1623, it was William Penn who established the actual city in 1682. The city proper had one and a half million residents in 2000, living in an area of 136 sq. miles -- but by including the surrounding metropolitan areas, that figure jumps to over six million, making Philadelphia the fourth largest metropolis in the United States.

One of Philadelphia's greatest assets is the many and varied ethnic communities that provide a wealth of music, food and performance experiences. From amusement parks to green parks to historic sites, entertainment is never very far away. Cultural opportunities abound, with prime attractions like the Rodin Museum, hosting the largest collection of Rodin sculptures on the continent.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum is America's oldest art museum, and its first art school. The Philadelphia Museum of Art includes a series of period rooms on the second floor. The Fabric Workshop and Museum brings internationally recognized artists to Philadelphia to work with master printers on innovative fabric-based projects. They also have an apprenticeship program. The Institute of Contemporary Art offers exhibits by artists such as Agnes Martin, Robert Morris, Cindy Sherman.

design degrees in Philadelphia Philadelphia also has numerous statues, monuments and other public works of art. "Common Threads," the largest outdoor painting on the East Coast -- created by local artist Meg Saligman, is the jewel of Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program.

Steeped in U.S. history, Philadelphia has numerous attractions that are important to the American identity. Sites include the National Constitution Center, City Hall (which is the largest in the nation), Old City (the nation's first commercial district), and Valley Forge, which is just a short drive away from Philadelphia. The list of historical and cultural attractions is quite large and adds to the city's overall appeal to artists and the general public alike. In a May 2004 article by Todd Pitock in Business Traveler Magazine, Peggy Amsterdam, president of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, noted that "Philadelphia has this great inventory of historic architecture and culture and heritage, and it all creates a really deep sense of place."

From its name, which means 'city of brotherly love' in Latin, to the large number of immigrants, free thinkers, and transplants from other communities that have settled in the city, Philadelphia has always been a tolerant and welcoming city. Ben Franklin thought it was a great place to live, as did Edgar Allen Poe. Today, the city's supportive environment and flourishing arts scene draws established artists and students alike. Although it is the nation's fifth-largest city, many artist and students feel that the layout of the area and the small neighborhoods keep the city from being overwhelming, while living in a larger city presents plenty of artistic opportunities.

Art Schools and Programs

When it comes to schools, Philadelphia has a long list of post-secondary institutions that offer students arts degrees. The Drexel University College of Media Arts and Design, Katharine Gibbs School - Philadelphia, art student in Philadelphia The Art Institute of Philadelphia, Hussian School of Art, Moore College of Art & Design, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the University of the Arts are some of the institutions available.

The local colleges and universities also have departments or programs for students seeking visual arts careers. A listing includes the Chestnut Hill College Department of Art, Holy Family College Division of Arts and Humanities, Saint Joseph's University Department of Fine and Performing Arts, and University of Pennsylvania's Department of Architecture. Also, Temple University's Department of Film and Media Arts and their Architecture program, La Salle University Department of Digital Arts and Mutimedia Design, Community College of Philadelphia's Department of Art, Drexel University's Department of Architecture and Arts Administration program, the School of Architecture and Design at Philadelphia University are schools or departments that offer Art degrees, Advertising degrees, Photography degrees, Graphic Design degrees, Interior Design degrees, fashion careers, architecture careers, and a host of other degrees.

Allen's Lane Art Center Visual Arts Program, The Clay Studio -- Philadelphia, Fleisher Art Memorial, Manayunk Art Center Art Workshops, and the University City Arts League also offer workshops and classes.

The outstanding selection of schooling choices is enough to draw thousand of art students to Philadelphia each year. Add in the historical and cultural attractions, and the city is a veritable artists' paradise.

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