Meet our Community

Blackstar

BlackStar is a non-profit organization that creates the spaces and resources needed to uplift the work of Black, Brown and Indigenous artists through year-round film screenings, exhibitions, academic programming, and most notably, their annual BlackStar Film Festival. Check out their website

Akira Gordon

Akira Gordon is a painter, born and raised in West Philadelphia, known for her narrative figurative work. Gordon is a University of the Arts graduate, often works alongside Philadelphia Mural Arts, and shows in prominent galleries around Philadelphia. View their instagram

The Ceramics Dept

Philly’s newest community clay studio, The Ceramics Dept, is run by two former UArts Ceramics Alumni, Molly Bernstein and Liz Colyar, who are revitalizing their former classroom into a community space for classes, workshops, memberships, and more. Follow along on instagram

Monument Lab

Based in Philadelphia, but working all across the US (& beyond), Monument Lab is a nonprofit public art, history, and design studio that is a leading voice in how monuments live with us in public spaces. Their team produces groundbreaking exhibitions, participatory research initiatives, workshops, & more. Check out their website

Design Philly

Design Philadelphia is a local non-profit institution that aims to foster a vibrant design community from Kindergarten through Career through multidisciplinary design education, public programming, and their beloved annual festival. Check out their website

C.Plot

C.Plot is a design studio that specializes in furniture, lighting and homegoods. Founded in 2023 by Palmer Purcell, a Philadelphia-based industrial designer, C.Plot aims to create pieces that elevate an environment, and create an unfamiliar but inviting experience to the individuals engaging with the objects. Check out their website

Explore the full directory

Lease a space

If you are interested in joining our community, please complete our leasing inquiry form. Don’t be shy! Share as much as you can about yourself and your dream space — it helps us help you find the right fit.

Inquiry form

Available Spaces

Metal Shop

Located on the south side of VIA tucked along Pine Street, this outbuilding has all the infrastructure of a working metal shop.
1,230 square feet.
Please inquire here

Foundry

Located on the south side of VIA tucked along Pine Street, this outbuilding has all the infrastructure of a working foundry.
1,665 square feet.
Please inquire here

Making in the Heart of Philadelphia

Located along the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia’s Center City, the Village of Industry & Art offers a welcoming environment for creative work and inspiration. VIA brings artists, makers, and organizations together in a shared setting designed to support production, collaboration, and focus. Set just off the busiest cultural corridor in the city, it is an oasis for making closely connected to Center City’s broader arts ecosystem—making it an active, working part of Philadelphia’s creative landscape.

Artist Residences

Artist Housing at VIA brings new creative life to the former Furness dormitories—transforming historic student housing into a vibrant hub for contemporary makers.

Honoring UArts Alumni

In June of 2025, Scout invited alumni, students, faculty, staff, neighbors, and all who were touched by UArts to help create a living memorial—a five day Celebration of Life.