After almost 50 years, the Painted Bride Art Center is closing their doors. But don’t fret, other doors will be opening up even wider. Painted Bride will move forward as a project-based organization instead of as a single location-based organization, and they will continue fighting for the good of the arts community.
In a message on their website from Executive Director, Laurel Raczka:
We are imagining a future that gives us the financial and creative capacity to continue our important work. We will do this by selling our primary asset – our building at 230 Vine Street – in order to secure a flexible source of capital for investment. With the proceeds of the building sale, we will ensure that the Bride can fulfill its central mission – supporting artists.
Philly.com reported on November 27th that the beloved space was actually costing them about 25% of their overall budget, instead of going to what they truly wanted to support, the arts.
The last performance at 230 Vine Street is scheduled for July 7th, then it’s off to their next adventure. When and where future shows will take place will be announced as they come to fruition.
The group first started in 1969 as a visual arts space and quickly moved into supporting everything from music and dance to theater. If you’re wondering where they got the name, the space that they originally occupied was a bridal shop on South Street.
If you’d like to help them push toward the future, consider making a tax-deductible gift.
Do you have any Painted Bride stories? We’d love to hear about them on Twitter!
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