Our Mission

The Village of Industry & Art reimagines the historic Haviland and Frank Furness buildings on South Broad Street to continue as a center for supporting Philadelphia’s creative life. Rooted in the building’s legacy of industry, experimentation, and craft, the Village of Industry & Art supports artists, designers, and cultural producers with space to work, reside, and collaborate in the heart of the city—keeping creativity and working craftspeople embedded in this place where it has always thrived. We aspire to continue to honor this temple to the arts and support the most industrious people in Philadelphia’s cultural community.

Site History

This site carries nearly 200 years of education, and creativity history in Philadelphia. Haviland Hall, the oldest building on Broad Street, predates even Philadelphia City Hall (by 77 years!) Today, the Village of Industry & Art seeks to honor the artistic spirits of all the creative people who have come through this space before us and reimagine these buildings as a living hub for contemporary artists, makers, and community life.

1824

Haviland Hall built

The Haviland-Strickland building is designed by architect John Haviland for one of the country's first schools for the Deaf. Construction is complete by 1824. The east and west wings of the building are added by 1837 as the institution grows.

1875

Furness Hall built

Famed Philadelphia architect Frank Furness designs an addition in 1875—so called “Furness Hall” featuring his iconic use of intricate brickwork.

1893

PMSIA moves in

The Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Arts (PMSIA) is chartered and founded in 1876, aspart by the historic Centennial Exposition that year. PMSIA’s purpose is to be “distinctly industrial” and it is modeled off of the “museum-school” in London (now known as the Victoria & Albert Museum). In 1893 the PMSIA acquires Haviland and Furness Halls.

1964

The Museum breaks off

PMSIA’s “museum” and “art school” separate in 1964: the museum becomes the Philadelphia Museum of Art , and the school becomes the Philadelphia College of Art (PCA).

1987

University of the Arts rename

The Philadelphia College of Art (PCA) becomes the University of the Arts in 1987.

2024

University of the Arts suddenly closes

The University of the Arts abruptly announces bankruptcy in June 2024 and closes within two-weeks.

Photo by Tom Gralish for The Philadelphia Inquirer

2025

Scout acquisition

On March 17, 2025 the site is acquired by Scout, the organization behind the transformation of the Bok Building in South Philadelphia. Similar to their work at Bok, the goal is to keep the space accessible to working artists, makers, and small businesses, and provide affordable housing for artists. We feel the weight of responsibility to defend the history of this space as a creative place.

2025

Scout invites the city in

From June 4-8, 2025, Scout hosts a five-day “Celebration of Life” in the building’s atrium to honor the legacy of University of the Arts and attempt to provide some closure and healing related to the abrupt closing. Later that same summer Scout opens Frankie’s Summer Club (a nod to architect Frank Furness) as a temporary pop-up in the courtyard, welcoming the community into a magical garden that was never publicly accessible.

2026

Building the community

The first tenants move in as Scout begins to breathe life into a historic space where art, culture, and creativity can continue to grow in Philadelphia. 2026 anticipates mass citywide celebrations for the United States’ Sestercentennial (250th Anniversary).

Our Team

Lovingly restoring and operating Village of Industry & Art since 2025. To learn more about the Scout team and what they do, visit our website

Recognitions

2025

Global Philadelphia Globy Awards

2025

Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

For more recognitions for Scout, see here