About Manayunk Art Center
Manayunk Art Center ("MAC") is a non-profit educational institution. Founded in 1953, MAC has been at its present location, a two story brick 19th century brick stable since 1962. MAC is a membership organization operated by a volunteer Board of Directors. MAC offers a full complement of creative educational services to families, individuals and artists in the Roxborough/Manayunk community as well as the greater Philadelphia area. At present, there are approximately 100 active members and 25-35 local artists who contribute to MAC in various volunteer capacities.
MAC's
mission is to
develop, for both members
and the general public
of all ages,
an appreciation of
and skill in producing
fine arts, literary
expression, and
related creative and
cultural endeavors.
MAC is committed to
fostering and making
accessible the
visual, spoken and
performance arts to
both the local and
the greater Philadelphia
community. MAC's goal
is to serve as a meeting
place for the
arts and to connect
writers, artists and
those with similar
interests with each
other and the community.
The Manayunk Art Center began as the Cultural Committee of the Manayunk Neighborhood Council, a locally active civic association. In 1957, MAC was organized as the Manayunk Art Alliance, and finally in 1961, in order to purchase the present location at 419 Green lane, the Manayunk Art Alliance was incorporated as the Manayunk Art Center. Currently, the Manayunk Art Center has IRS 501 (c)(3) non profit status.
The last three years
have seen a
growth in art
programs, including
drawing, oil
painting, watercolor
and pastels,
poetry programs
and production
of the literary
publication
(Schuylkill
Valley Journal).
Currently, MAC presents,
on an annual
basis, six art exhibitions,
ten poetry series
programs and
publishes the
Schuylkill Valley
Journal (about
50 pages). In
addition, MAC
offers a thriving
children's art program
on Saturday
morning and an ongoing
series of art classes
and workshops
as well as poetry
workshops for
adults on weekends
and evenings.
Over the last decade,
the Manayunk area has enjoyed a renaissance, both of its old housing and
in the arts. The needs of the Manayunk and Roxborough community are changing
and the art center has attempted to keep pace with the changes in the
community. MAC is currently at the threshold of physical development and
has launched a capital campaign. The old attached garages have been torn
down and plans are being developed for creating a garden/sitting area
in its location, which will be consistent with the architecture of the
existing nineteenth century stable building.
View the fine press release covering MAC's 50th Anniversary from Art Matters Magazine
Below: two historic images from MAC's past
