Philadelphia Art Alliance

The Philadelphia Art Alliance is an arts center in Rittenhouse Square that hosts exhibitions, performances, and classes in a historic building. The organization presents work across visual art, theater, music, and literature, all within a Victorian-era mansion that still serves as its home.

This arts center was founded in 1915 by Christine Wetherill Stevenson as the first multidisciplinary arts institution in America. The organization has operated in the same Rittenhouse Square location for over a century, adapting its programs while keeping its mission of supporting local artists alive.

The center presents visual art, theater, and readings that show what artists in Philadelphia care about and create. You can see works from local creators alongside national and international pieces throughout the year.

The center sits on Walnut Street within Rittenhouse Square and is easy to reach by public transportation or on foot from nearby parking. The building has stairs and an elevator, so plan your route depending on your mobility needs.

In the 1920s, the organization created art clubs for businessmen that let them work hands-on with painting and sculpture. This approach was uncommon for the time and showed how the center wanted to reach people beyond the traditional art world.

Location: Pennsylvania

Inception: 1915

Website: http://philartalliance.org

GPS coordinates: 39.94820,-75.17080

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:44