Community Partner Programs

Our Community Partner programs are essential in our effort to provide art for everyone. We work with our partners to create inspiring art experiences that offer students a lasting sense of accomplishment and joy. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue fostering creative expression for years to come.

Meet Our Community-Based Partners

Ardmore Avenue Community Center · Ardmore

Each year, teaching artists provide safe and engaging art activities during community celebrations, holidays, and during summer camps.

Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence (JCHAI) · Bryn Mawr

During monthly workshops, students learn to print, paint and sculpt their own unique creations. Students visit the Art Center galleries to tour exhibitions and create artworks inspired by the art on view.

Carousel Connections · Philadelphia

Students explore a wide range of media and techniques based on contemporary and historical artists and processes. Meeting weekly at the Art Center, students use the gallery as a tool to lend inspiration and inform their art-making.

Carousel Connections provides its participants with vocational training as well as self care, communication, and community living skill building opportunities.

The Community of Don Guanella · Onsite at Main Line Art Center

During monthly art workshops with Don Guanella residents, a social service residence of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for men with intellectual disabilities, we tour the galleries for inspiration and then create personal masterpieces. Teaching Artists introduce a wide variety of mediums including drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Participants enjoy talking about and connecting with artwork while learning the hands-on skills to create their own.

Devereux · Villanova

In a small group setting of 3-5 participants, Teaching Artists introduce new and exciting media and inspiring artists. During weekly classes, participants experiment with many techniques as they learn to sculpt, paint, and print their own masterpieces.

Overbrook School For the Blind · Overbrook, Philadelphia

Partnering with Overbrook’s art teacher, teaching artists design creative and challenging clay projects for pre-K to high school aged students. Student learn the fundamentals of building with clay as well as the technical aspects of glazing and firing. Past projects have included learning to cut, stamp, and sculpt clay into unique tiles of vegetables and fruit as part of a mosaic bench project celebrating the school’s orchard, which provides students with farm-to-table learning. This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Karen and Herbert Lotman Foundation.

The Ardmore Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church · Ardmore

On bi-weekly pick-up days, participants enjoy an engaging and creative art workshop with a teaching artist to experiment with new techniques and mediums.

“I’m not a creative person, but the workshops gave me confidence in believing in myself. The social aspect was also so wonderful at this time of year. I gained a better understanding of what I am capable of achieving.”

– Julie, Ardmore Food Pantry Participant

Pennsylvania School for the Deaf · Germantown, Philadelphia

In a unique collaboration, high school students and first graders work together to use embroidery and fabric markers to create large, fiber art installations. High school students also explore topics of identity while learning about De’VIA (Deaf view/image art) artists and create artworks that share their perspectives as deaf and hard-of-hearing artists.

Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired · Chester

As our first community arts partner, we have led clay-based sculpture classes with blind and visually impaired adults since 1965. Students create large-scale sculptures and handbuild tableware while learning about texture, composition, and decorative glazing.

The Pink Palette Project: Art for Those on Their Breast Cancer Journey · Onsite at Main Line Art Center

The Pink Palette Project is an art group dedicated to raising awareness and spreading hope, where creativity and courage come together to support those at any stage in their breast cancer journey. Meeting every second Thursday of the month for a fresh, inspiring art lesson led by a talented teaching artist. We believe in the transformative power of art, and each session offers a nurturing environment where you can relax, embrace your creativity, and connect with others who understand your experience.

ARTZ Philadelphia · Main Line

ARTZ @ the Museum at Main Line Art Center allows older adults living with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers enjoy monthly visits to the Art Center’s exhibitions. Facilitators use artworks to inspire small-group conversation, storytelling, and connection. ARTZ Philadelphia’s welcoming and highly trained facilitators help create a safe space in which small groups of people with dementia, their families and friends can come together, free from judgment, and feel fully supported.

Carelink Support Services · Media & Greater Philadelphia

Adults in Carelink residences from all over the Philadelphia area meet at the Art Center studios to explore painting, printmaking, mixed media, and ceramic art experiences led by talented and versatile teaching artists. Carelink Support Services’ mission is to assist adults living with disabilities in acquiring the tools necessary to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Elwyn · Media

Teaching artists work with residents of Cottage 2 to create still life paintings, watercolors and prints, focusing on observation, composition, color theory, and form.

Blair Christian Academy · Philadelphia

We collaborate with grades K-8 at the Academy to provide comprehensive art education across a variety of mediums. Students engage in painting, drawing, and sculpture while building a strong foundation in the elements of art. This program is a key part of our ongoing commitment to offering meaningful art education to under-resourced schools and low income families.

Wesley House Family Shelter · Media

School-age children living in the emergency housing shelter participate in weekly after-school art classes led by Art Center teaching artists to learn about the fundamentals of art while creating their own masterpieces.

“Having the opportunity for the kiddos to engage in art classes while being displaced truly makes a positive impact on their current living status. The art program is a fun and educational activity that enhances the children’s overall quality of life during a difficult time.”

– Nedra Johnson, Staff Recreational Therapist at Wesley House

Association for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (AADD) · Bryn Mawr

We meet monthly at the Association to introduce a new art concept or technique and guide participants to create their own artworks. Experimenting with paint, collage, clay, and sculpture, participant’s get to know the mediums they enjoy while also having a positive social experience with their peers. Workshops are fun, creative, and often very social!

Bethel Academy & Bethel AME Church of Ardmore · Ardmore

Working with families across the Ardmore area, we offer hands-on art activities for all ages at local celebrations, including Juneteenth, Unity Day, and many more!

If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact Ariel Edwards, Co-Executive Director, at aedwards@mainlineart.org.