Fabric Workshop and Museum
| Type | Contemporary art museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 1214 Arch Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Chinatown |
| Phone | (215) 561-8888 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1977 |
| Founder | Marion Boulton Stroud |
| Admission | $8 suggested donation |
| Hours | Wed-Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-5pm |
| Transit | City Hall Station (BSL/MFL) |
The Fabric Workshop and Museum is a contemporary art institution in Chinatown, Philadelphia, dedicated to creating new work in new materials. Founded in 1977, it is the only museum in America devoted to collaboration between artists and the creative exploration of materials.[1]
Mission
Unlike traditional museums that exhibit existing work, the Fabric Workshop commissions artists to create new pieces, often experimenting with materials they've never used before. The museum provides studio space, technical expertise, and fabrication support.
History
Marion Boulton Stroud founded the Fabric Workshop in 1977, initially focused on textile arts. Over time, the mission expanded beyond fabric to encompass all experimental materials—from LED lights to rubber to sound.
The institution has collaborated with over 500 artists, including Robert Rauschenberg, Louise Bourgeois, Kiki Smith, and many emerging talents.
Artist-in-Residence Program
The core of FWM's mission:
- Artists invited for extended residencies
- Access to fabrication facilities
- Technical staff support
- Material experimentation encouraged
- Work often enters permanent collection
Permanent Collection
FWM maintains a collection of works created through residencies:
- Unique pieces impossible to see elsewhere
- Documentation of artistic process
- Rotating display from collection
- Available for research
Visiting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hours | Wed-Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-5pm |
| Admission | $8 suggested donation |
| Address | 1214 Arch Street |
| Time needed | 30-60 minutes |
Getting There
- SEPTA Subway — City Hall station
- Walking — In Chinatown, near the Convention Center
- Parking — Nearby garages
Frequently Asked Questions
See Also
References
- ↑ "Fabric Workshop and Museum". FWM. Retrieved December 23, 2025