Big Ears

About The Bride

Mission

The Painted Bride Art Center collaborates with emerging and established artists to create, produce and present innovative work that affirms the intrinsic value of all cultures and celebrates the transformative power of the arts. Through performances and exhibitions, education and outreach, the Bride creates a forum for engagement centered on contemporary social issues.

History

Founded in 1969, Painted Bride Art Center has been a cultural pioneer since we opened our doors. Founder Gerry Givnish and other artists opened a gallery on South Street and started a cultural revolution in the area. In 1981, the Bride purchased and moved to its permanent home at 230 Vine Street. As the Bride has evolved, we have purposefully provided access to a wide array of artistic voices concerned with political and social issues. Our commitment to varying points of view have provided a forum for communities outside “the mainstream,” including those of ethnic and sexual diversity.

In 1999, the Bride transitioned from a founder-run organization to new leadership under Laurel Raczka, Executive Director. Shortly thereafter, the Bride launched a successful $500,000 capital campaign to enhance audience and performer amenities while remaining true to its mission to work with artists to create and present programs that affirm the intrinsic values of all cultures, the inspirational and healing powers of the arts, and their ability to effect social change.

The Bride is a 250-seat theater and gallery located in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia serving over 20,000 people annually. We present an average of sixty to eighty events a year through the following series and programs: Dance with the Bride; Jazz on Vine (Philadelphia’s longest, continually running jazz series); World Music; Performance in the Present Tense; and Gallery Exhibitions.

The Bride is proud of its history of supporting groundbreaking contemporary artists who have the inspiration to present works that give audiences the chance to “See it. Feel it. Be it.” We are Philadelphia’s only multi-disciplinary arts center that provides our audiences the unique chance to experience art in the most intimate setting in the region. The Bride’s rich history includes presenting and producing the most diverse and acclaimed performers who, in many respects, reflect the rich cultural diversity of the Greater Philadelphia area. Whether presenting world-renowned musicians such as Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain, jazz virtuoso Dave Holland, composer and musician Hannibal Lokumbe; or supporting the Philadelphia dance community by lending marketing and production assistance to Philadanco, Moxie Dance Collective and Flamenco Ole; or supporting performance artists from the late Spalding Gray to Thaddeus Phillips, the Bride continues to present the artists and performances you have come to know, expect and love.