Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia
Encyclopedia
Broad Street (Philadelphia)
Broad Street is a major arterial street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is nearly 13 miles long.It is Pennsylvania Route 611 along its entire length with the exception of its northernmost part between Old York Road and Pennsylvania Route 309 and the southernmost part south of Interstate 95...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, that includes many of the city's cultural institutions, most notably the theater district south of City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall is the house of government for the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At , including the statue, it is the world's second-tallest masonry building, only shorter than Mole Antonelliana in Turin...
.
The name "Avenue of the Arts" originated in a strategy by former mayor Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
to redevelop South Broad Street in Center City
Center City, Philadelphia
Center City, or Downtown Philadelphia includes the central business district and central neighborhoods of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As of 2005, its population of over 88,000 made it the third most populous downtown in the United States, after New York City's and Chicago's...
. The definition has been expanded by city planners under Mayor John F. Street
John F. Street
John Franklin Street was the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004...
's administration to encourage further development in the area http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/14446354.htm. The Avenue of the Arts is overseen by the non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
Avenue of the Arts, Inc.
Avenue of the Arts, Inc.
The Avenue of the Arts, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization created in 1993 to coordinate and oversee the growth and development of the Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia...
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
, the Academy of Music
Academy of Music (Philadelphia)
The Academy of Music, also known as American Academy of Music, is a concert hall and opera house located at Broad and Locust Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1857 and is the oldest opera house in the United States that is still used for its original purpose...
, Merriam Theatre, Wilma Theater
The Wilma Theater
The Wilma Theater is a 501 non-profit theater company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-History:It was founded in 1973 as the Wilma Project to encourage theatrical productions of original material and the development of community artists. In 1979, Blanka Zizka and Jiri Zizka of former...
, and Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Buildings for the University of the Arts
University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
The University of the Arts is one of the United States' oldest universities dedicated to the arts. Its campus makes up part of the Avenue of the Arts in Center City, Philadelphia...
are located just south and east to the Kimmel Center. The Merriam Theatre is often used for high-end productions involving the school.
Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records is a record label founded by writer-producers, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971. It was famous for showcasing the sub-genre of Philadelphia soul music and released a string of worldwide hits during the decade.-History:...
' offices and gift shop is also located along this strip. Just south of the strip is the Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts
Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts
The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, INC. is an American trade union. It was founded in 1966 by members of Musicians' Protective Union Local #274, American Federation of Musicians . Local #274 was chartered in 1935 as a separate Black local because Black musicians were denied...
, and on Broad Street in this vicinity, just north of City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall is the house of government for the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At , including the statue, it is the world's second-tallest masonry building, only shorter than Mole Antonelliana in Turin...
, is the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Founded in 1805, it is America's oldest art school and museum and boasts a distinguished collection of American art.
Several parking garages and public transportation services provided by SEPTA, including the Broad Street Line
Broad Street Line
The Broad Street Line is a rapid transit line operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority that runs from Fern Rock Transportation Center in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia...
, several bus lines, Regional Rail
SEPTA Regional Rail
The SEPTA Regional Rail system consists of commuter rail service on thirteen branches to over 150 active stations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States and its suburbs. Service on most lines runs from 5:30 AM to midnight...
service at Suburban Station, and nearby stops of the PATCO Speedline make the Avenue of the Arts highly accessible to visitors.
External links
- Northern terminus - Southern terminus