Painted Bride Art Center or “The Bride” understands that the arts have the potential to implement changes. They do this in collaboration with different artists so they can produce works of art that show this power of change. They set up performances so they can reach out to like-minded individuals so they’ll have a place where they can discuss social issues. In addition, they also aim to educate people by reaching out to them and sharing this power of the arts. Read on to know more.
What is your organization’s name?
Painted Bride Art Center
What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?
My name is LaNeshe Miller-White and I am the marketing coordinator for “The Bride.”
How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)
Founded in 1969 by a group of visual artists who had recently graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, the Painted Bride Art Center is a presenting arts organization located in Old City, Philadelphia. The Bride is part of the Alternative Art Space movement, which is a small genre of cultural organization in America that grew from a movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This movement sought to establish organizations where artists had greater control over the presentation of their work and were able to present the work of the underrepresented in commercial or larger established institutions such as women, people of color, gay and lesbian artists and the disabled. The Bride has evolved into an innovative, internationally recognized, artist-centered, multi-disciplinary institution.
What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)
The artistic goals of the Bride are to: provide a laboratory for “exchanging and exploring” ideas; support the creation of new work; collaborate and work with Philadelphia artists in creating and presenting new work; showcase new work that provides opportunities for community exchange and encourages activities and dialog beyond the stage or gallery; expose audiences to a deeper understanding of the artistic process; and advocate for artists and assist in furthering their careers.
As a risk-taking and innovative presenter of the arts, the Painted Bride offers a wide range of work – from the cutting edge to that which is simply new to Philadelphia. Spotting trends in the making, the Bride supports independent artists and the artistic process by commissioning new works and providing a forum for artists to gain synergy from each other’s energy. As the avant-garde has evolved to include more issue-oriented work, so have the efforts of the Bride evolved. The Bride is especially committed to Philadelphia-based artists and to linking them to community groups and issues.
The Bride’s core programs include world premieres, substantial commissioning support, and new work that challenges artists to further develop their work while also daring audiences to experience these artistic voices. The Bride cultivates sincere engagement between artists and audiences by providing access to the creative process through workshops, open rehearsals, discussions, interviews and program notes. We continue to support Philadelphia’s dynamic artistic community as well as international artists that travel from far distances to perform in the Bride’s intimate, yet world-class, theater.
How long has the organization been around?
42 years
What kind of events / activities does your organization do?
We present world music, dance, theater, and visual arts. Some highlights in our current season include:
Elio Villafranca – Oct. 29th
Let’s Make a Ruckus! Festival – Nov. 11-12
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins – Dec. 20-31
How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website,email, telephone etc)
Facebook.com/paintedbrideartcenter
Any messages to Philadelphia?
The Painted Bride Art Center will give you an art/cultural experience that you are likely not to get other places. We pride ourselves in the fact that audiences leave our space having been entertained, but also provoked to think about something in a way that hadn’t thought before.