Mission :

Allens Lane Art Center (ALAC) provides programs and activities that bring our diverse community together to experience and support the arts.

Vision:

Allens Lane Art Center will be the model of community engagement in the arts in Northwest Philadelphia, providing quality and innovative art and cultural programming for the Greater Philadelphia Region.

Values:

Allens Lane Art Center offers opportunities for people to explore their creative potential.  These programs and activities are important because artistic experience and expression enhance the quality of life.  Allens Lane Art Center strives to make its programs available to those who might otherwise be unable to participate.  In carrying out its mission. Allens Lane Art Center is committed to acceptance of social diversity, promotion of a collaborative environment, personal empowerment, freedom of expression and openness to new ideas.

History:

Allens Lane Art Center was founded in 1953 by an interracial group of Mt. Airy residents who were concerned about the dangers of increasing community tension.  Most were parents of children attending local schools who felt that increasing access to the arts would be a way to bring people together as well as develop individual talents.  "Living Together Through the Arts," a program of The Ford Foundation and the Henry Home & School Association, originally sponsored ALAC.  It was formally incorporated as a nonprofit organization on June 29, 1953.

ALAC's founders saw creative activities as an effective avenue for channeling the energy of youth in a constructive way.  Developing artistic skills and appreciation for the arts would help round the education of local youth and build self-esteem in a non-competitive way.  Most importantly, creative activities would bring people of diverse backgrounds together and help them overcome prejudices.  Today, Allens Lane still promotes "living together in the community through arts" by offering programs and activities that enrich the lives of numerous children and adults.