Art Grows Philly - Fleisher Art Memorial

For over 100 years, Fleisher Art Memorial mission has been to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of economic means, background, or artistic experience. Factors which typically can create division within communities.

This thriving Southeast Philadelphia community arts center recently accepted a 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the nation's highest honor for out-of-school arts and humanities programs. Fleisher is this year's only recipient from Pennsylvania and is one of only 12 organizations from across the country, selected to receive this prestigious annual award.

Upon learning of the award, Mayor Michael Nutter designated Wednesday, November 2, 2011, Fleisher Art Memorial Youth Arts Education Day in Philadelphia. Commending Fleisher, Mayor Nutter stated,

"Fleisher's program stands as a model—both locally in Philadelphia and nationally—for others who are serving today's youth. By engaging and inspiring young people, Fleisher is giving them not just the vision but the skills to build a new and better life for themselves and their families, and for our community."

Click here for a look at some of Fleisher's innovative programs for young people.

Located in Southeast Philadelphia a vibrant area of the city which has traditionally welcomed newly arrived people from around the world, and is home to both longstanding African American and Italian American communities. Only blocks away from the eastern border of Center City, Fleisher is well-positioned to bridge the gap between these diverse communities. And with so few cultural institutions located south of Fleisher, the organization recognizes its role as a fundamental link between communities in need and many of their key partners: foundations, social service agencies and civically-minded citizens seeking to invest in social and cultural improvements for our city.

In 2011, Fleisher completed a study of the composition and motivations of their target Southeast Philadelphia community members, through surveys, focus groups and in-field interviews of community members. From this research, Fleisher identified a series of critical steps necessary to creating new pathways for participation and access, including raising community awareness and developing trust between Fleisher and target community members.

Three key themes emerged from Fleisher's surrounding target communities:

Come to us. Show us. Welcome us.

With these three themes top-of-mind, Fleisher has made community engagement an organization-wide priority, constantly evaluating and adapting their models, to make sure Fleisher is an open, welcoming and easy-to-navigate facility. Fleisher has since implemented staff trainings on community-building, introduced non-English translation classes, and is on its way to creating new, innovative community-building programs such as ColorWheels Presented by PNC ArtsAlive (a mobile art studio that brings culturally-relevant art experiences to Fleisher's surrounding neighborhoods) and FAMbassadors (an initiative to place Fleisher staff and volunteer representatives within the Southeast Philadelphia community).

Always mindful of their founding principles of equity and access for all, Executive Director Matt Braun and the staff of Fleisher work towards a better tomorrow: one where all residents of Philadelphia have access to arts experiences and opportunities that not only improve quality of life in neighbors, but also help our communities come together and grow.

Click here to download a comprehensive "Art Grows Philly" profile on Fleisher’s community engagement work.