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About THE CENTER FOR EMERGING VISUAL ARTISTS LTD

Location:

237 S 18TH ST APT 3A, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103, US

Mission Statement

The Center for Emerging Visual Artists exists with a mission to cultivate, nurture and advance the careers of artists. Also aiming to engage the public more fully in our local art scene, CFEVA expands opportunities to discover and connect with art through city-wide programming and community building initiatives. Approaching arts programming through a new lens, CFEVA’s services are designed to raise the profile of Philadelphia’s professional artists, build upon its strength in bringing the creative process into the public realm, foster artistic experimentation and innovation, and showcase how vibrant artistic communities boost cultural tourism and foster economic development. Through fellowships, residencies, educational outreach, exhibitions, professional development, and city-wide events, CFEVA provides artists with the tangible resources needed to develop viable and sustainable careers and deepens public understanding of the visual arts space in Greater Philadelphia.

Description

The Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA) was founded in 1983 as the Creative Artist Network by Felicity R. "Bebe" Benoliel to encourage the professional development and community involvement of Philadelphia's emerging visual artists. Bebe compiled a prestigious board of artistic advisors made up of regional artists as well as curators to assist in the identification and mentorship of emerging talent, and she served as Executive Director until her untimely death in 2000. Today, CFEVA’s innovative programming serves more than 500,000 individuals annually, including an extensive network of more than 1,000 artists and growing.  We present public and private exhibitions around the region, as well as lead city-wide festivals such as the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), the largest open studio program in the region, and the biennial Art in the Open. Additional opportunities are available for artists to interact with their communities through educational outreach programs, including the award-winning Senior Partnership Initiative, an intergenerational project serving elders and students, and Hand-in-Hand, a program connecting artists with homeless youth residents of city shelters. CFEVA combines time-tested and innovative programming to bring arts opportunities to underserved populations and professional education opportunities to those building visual art careers in Greater Philadelphia.