About
Our mission is to build understanding and unity amongst Northwest Philadelphia communities through accessible, enriching, and transformative art education and experiences.
Bringing Communities Together Through The Arts
Since its founding in 1953, Allens Lane Art Center has been a cornerstone of the Mt. Airy community by bringing residents together through joyful and transformative experiences in the arts. Whether it’s art classes for children or adults, art exhibitions, art markets and festivals, or a diverse range of performances on our stage, there is something for everyone at Allens Lane.
Our History
Allens Lane Art Center has a rich history that began in 1953 with its establishment by visionary community members, who came together through a collective ambition to make Mt. Airy an intentionally welcoming space for all people, challenging rampant systemic racism and discrimination at the time. Inspired as a part of the larger grassroots movement at that time towards intentional integration, including increasing encouragement of African American home buying and opportunity within the Mt. Airy neighborhood, the Center was granted nonprofit tax-exempt status in 1955. “Living Together Through the Arts,” a program of The Ford Foundation and the Henry Home & School Association, originally sponsored the Center.
Strategic Plan 2025 – 2028
The Center’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan outlines our core focus areas for the next 3 years as we work towards our mission of bringing our community together through transformative and joyful experiences in the arts. The Strategic Plan serves as a central document to outline our organization’s goals, objectives, and strategies to align with our programs and initiatives. Several organizational efforts took place to develop the plan, including audience-focused research, data collection, and internal strategy discussions.
Through this data collection, we have identified three main goals for the Strategic Plan with various strategies to execute these objectives.
GOAL #1 Expand the DIVERSITY of our constituents to reflect the community that we serve in NW Philadelphia
GOAL #2 Ensure ample RESOURCES to support our mission, programs, and partnerships
GOAL #3 Reestablish and enhance our COMMUNITY relations
Our Vision
We envision a world where we are all interconnected through consistent, deep, and meaningful engagement with the arts and the power of creativity.
Belief Statement
At Allens Lane Art Center, we believe in the transformative power of art to unite, inspire, and connect individuals and communities. We work to create a welcoming environment where creativity thrives, diverse voices reverberate, and artistic expression is cultivated as a vehicle for growth, connection, and joy. Throughout our work, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, shared stewardship, and collaboration. In keeping with the vision of our founders, Allens Lane is committed to the following core beliefs:
- Allens Lane is a place for everyone to thrive, learn, and belong.
We believe that everyone from all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life has a place at Allens Lane. Just as our Mt. Airy community paints a beautiful, vibrant canvas, we strive for our center to reflect this same picture.
- Art is a human right that can catalyze change and cultivate joy.
We believe that everyone is an artist. We consider art as a necessary pathway, connecting bridges to centering joy and inciting meaningful change. Through authentic and intentional connection, our values are ingrained in all we do within our community – including our events, classes, performances, and exhibitions.
- Together, we can all work inclusively to envision Allens Lanes’ future.
We believe that as a community-centered organization, every member should feel represented and included in the vision of Allens Lane. Our shared investment and decision-making help to ensure access and opportunity for all community members, and collaboration at every level.
