The Fabric Workshop and Museum facts for kids
The Fabric Workshop and Museum
|
|
| Established | 1977 |
|---|---|
| Location | 1214 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Public transit access |   SEPTA bus: 23, 45, 48 |
The Fabric Workshop and Museum is a special art place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's a non-profit group, which means it doesn't try to make money. Its main goal is to help artists create new art using different materials and methods. They work with artists who are just starting out, as well as famous artists from all over the world.
This organization began in 1977. It has a program where artists can come and work, called the Artist-in-Residence Program. It also has a huge collection of art made by artists who worked there. The museum shows art in its own building and sends exhibitions to other places. They also have many learning programs, like talks, tours, school visits, and chances for students to learn from artists.
Contents
The Museum's Story
The Fabric Workshop and Museum was started in 1977 by a person named Marion Boulton Stroud. Her idea was to create a place where artists could work together and try new things. The Artist-in-Residence program gave artists a place, tools, and help to make useful objects by printing designs on fabric.
Over time, the museum noticed that artists had big ideas, especially for art installations (art that fills a space). Sometimes, these ideas were hard to turn into useful objects. So, the rules changed! Artists were allowed to make art that wasn't just for everyday use. As years passed, the rules became even more flexible. This allowed artists to think beyond just "fabric." Now, the team of staff and artists has made art using all sorts of things, like wire mesh, horse hair, and even fiberglass.
The museum has shown its art in many places outside of Philadelphia. These include Eastern State Penitentiary, New York, Venice, London, Dakar, and Los Angeles. The Fabric Workshop and Museum always tries to push artists to explore new ideas. They want artists to see that almost anything they imagine can be created. The museum often says, "we can do anything, and we have the talent, knowledge and resources to accomplish what we set out to do."
In 1996, the collection of art and information from the Artist-in-Residence program grew very large. It became clear that this work was important for history and needed to be shown and cared for. That's when "The Fabric Workshop" became "The Fabric Workshop and Museum." Today, it has a permanent collection of over 5,500 art pieces made by more than 400 artists.
Because its neighbor, the Philadelphia Convention Center, grew bigger, the Fabric Workshop and Museum had to move three times. Its current home is at 1214 Arch Street.
The Art Workshop
The Artist-in-Residence program at the Fabric Workshop and Museum brings in well-known artists from around the world. These artists, whether they are new or famous, get to try out different materials and art methods. The Artistic Director chooses artists for this program after talking with a special committee. This committee meets once or twice a year to pick the artists.
This program welcomes many kinds of artists, including painters, sculptors, architects, and designers. It also includes artists who create installation art, performance art, and video art. The museum provides all the money and materials for the artists. Artists work with the museum's own staff of printers and technicians. If a project needs more help, the museum can hire other experts. Artists can also bring their own assistants. This program helps artists learn new techniques, use new materials, and find resources they might not have had before. This teamwork helps artists create amazing new works and pushes the boundaries of modern art. In the museum's old building, you could visit the workshops where artists worked. The new location doesn't have this open access, but you can sometimes arrange a special tour.
The Art Museum
The Fabric Workshop and Museum has a permanent collection of art. This collection includes works by famous artists like Louise Bourgeois, Sonya Clark, Felix Gonzalex-Torres, Ann Hamilton, Reverend Howard Finster, Anish Kapoor, Robert Kushner, Glenn Ligon, Robert Morris, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, and Carrie Mae Weems. The collection has finished artworks, plus early drawings and other items that show how the artists created their pieces.
The Fabric Workshop and Museum also has another gallery space. This space shows art made by the most recent artist who worked there. Sometimes, it also displays art by artists who weren't part of the residency program. This happens if their art fits the museum's goal of showing new and exciting modern art.
Learning Programs
The Fabric Workshop and Museum offers art education for everyone, from young children to adults who have finished college. Even teachers can learn from the programs offered by the museum. Through its apprentice training program and study tours, along with other educational activities, the public can learn and benefit from the organization.
Apprentice Training Program
The apprentice training program is for high school students, college students, and those who have finished college. The high school program helps local students gain knowledge and job skills that schools might not teach. Students also earn money for their work. The College and Post-Graduate Apprentice Training Program accepts students from both nearby areas and other countries. They get to learn how the museum works and also learn the skill of screen-printing.
Other Educational Programs
- Study Tours cost $5.00 per person. They let you visit the museum and get a special look behind the scenes at the workshop.
- The Onsite Studio Program is a weekly program for elementary school classes. A museum employee teaches students how to create a silkscreen fabric.
- The Online Curriculum from the Fabric Workshop and Museum uses the museum's art collection to explore different ideas and topics. These lessons are for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. They offer many ideas to make learning more fun and interesting.
- Evenings for Educators gives teachers a chance to learn silkscreen printing techniques and see the museum. They also explore how modern art and the museum's programs can make classroom discussions and activities more exciting.
- The Family Program lets children and their parents experience modern art and different art materials. They also get to tour the exhibits and studios together.
