University City Arts League

History

In 1967, a handful of West Philadelphia artists, art lovers and interested neighbors came together to form what is now the University City Arts League. Within two years, the group attained non-profit status, purchased a semi-detached four-story Victorian twin at 4226 Spruce Street, and began offering classes and programs. This spirit of innovation and commitment to creativity is still alive at the Arts League today.

Specialties

The University City Arts League is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and cultural enrichment in the arts. Our primary 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. -To bring the arts to the community through partnerships and educational outreach. We pursue these goals through an exciting array of classes for children and adults, critically-acclaimed gallery exhibits highlighting local and emerging artists and outreach to our local community. The UCAL facility includes three art studios, two dance studios, a sophisticated computer lab, a communal room used for classes and meetings, a dedicated gallery space and a complete pottery studio located on the premises. As a result, today, some 5,000 students each year, from tots to older adults, experience the arts through our programs. Our strong relationships with community partners enable us to bring arts to schools and non-profits more widely than ever before.