Originally incorporated in 1937 as the Bryn Mawr Art Center, the Art Center merged with Suburban Art Center in 1963 and became the Main Line Center for the Arts.  The Art Center was renamed Main Line Art Center in 1993 and today maintains the core values of respect for individual creativity, a belief that everyone has the ability to learn and appreciate art, that art is essential for balance and enrichment, and that art is a catalyst for building community.



The vision of Main Line Art Center is to maintain and further enhance its unique culture of creativity in the visual arts.  The art program at Main Line Art Center explores traditional art forms while embracing innovative, forward-thinking, and contemporary ideas.  Our strength lies in welcoming new techniques and new teaching methods that encourage people at all levels of ability in the community to create and appreciate art.  Classes and workshops are offered year-round in areas such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry making, and printmaking.  The Art Center offers up to ten annual exhibitions, including stretch and community exhibitions and seasonal fine crafts shows that feature the work of established and emerging artists, many of whom are members, faculty, and students.  



We are committed to making art accessible to everyone and accomplish this by offering art programs for individuals of all ages and abilities, including a unique series of outreach programs for children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities, and by offering $12,000 in need-based scholarships from a restricted endowment to our students each year.  More than 15,000 individuals, ages two to senior citizens, participated in our programs last year – either as artists, students, or enthusiastic viewers.