Our Mission:

The Main Line Art Center promotes the appreciation of the arts and the growth of diverse audiences by offering a variety of high quality programs and instruction. The Center strongly supports the development of artists of all ages and abilities.

History :

The Main Line Art Center was incorporated in 1937 by a group of local artists, who wanted to teach, and their students. A decade later, the non-profit organization purchased its present home, in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Locally known as "the White House", the charming, three story, Federal style building was built as a residence in the mid-1800's as part of the Kelly estate. Since its founding, the art center has flourished, growing from a small arts organization into a thriving cultural resource. A $2 million renovation and expansion of the art center was completed in 1999. The project has totally refurbished the existing building and increased space by almost fifty percent with a new gallery, studios, a student resource center, and registration center. The addition of an elevator makes the new building fully handicapped accessible.

The art center is recognized for the quality of its community-based exhibitions, instructional programs and outreach. A current recipient of a Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts, the art center also receives funding through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. In keeping with its mission, the Center focuses on teaching and the exhibition of contemporary art and offers programs that are affordable and accessible to everyone.