Our Mission, Vision, and Values
Fleisher is a source of inspiration, creativity, and community. Every year, more than 20,000 people experience the transformative power of art by participating in our classes, tuition-free classes, workshops, exhibitions, and community-based programs.
Founded in 1898, we are one of the country’s oldest nonprofit community art schools and are committed to advancing the vision of our founder, Samuel S. Fleisher, who believed that art is one of society’s greatest assets and equalizers, and from the doorway of his Graphic Sketch Club, “invited the world to come and learn art.”
Our Mission
Fleisher is a vibrant community anchor for the arts in Philadelphia that provides affordable and culturally relevant classes, programs and events that serve the broadest possible audience.
Our Vision
Fleisher’s vision is for a city where all people have abundant access to making and learning about art in shared community, so that everyone has access to a “playground for their soul” as our founder envisioned in 1898.
Our Core Values
Fleisher’s core values are rooted in the ideals of Samuel Fleisher:
Human-Centric: We believe that all individuals can experience vital social, emotional and intellectual growth by exploring artistic expression and that we have an obligation to continually iterate on what “art” and “creativity” mean to be as inclusive and relevant as possible.
Connection: We believe that connecting individuals through shared arts and educational programs has the power to create stronger bonds between people with different lived experiences.
Stronger Communities: We believe that providing creative pursuits has tangible benefits to the economic, educational, social and political realities of all neighborhoods.
Start with Collaboration: We believe that our collective impacts for good are amplified when we pursue reciprocal, respectful partnerships with artists and organizations who share our values and have different expertise. We don’t go it alone.
