Pennsylvania Art & Design programming explores York

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design is establishing partnerships in York, Pennsylvania, and working to understand and learn from the larger arts-based and educational community within this dynamic and diverse region, thanks to the generous and visionary leadership of The Powder Mill Foundation. This is an initiative of the College’s current strategic plan as the College’s history stretches back to 1952 in York. 

“With the knowledge that artists and educational institutions can be the economic engines within a community, PCA&D is engaging with creatives in York and will begin offering programming that integrates creative innovation to the creative community, educational partners, business, and industry, while supporting the diverse arts and design culture, and expanding engagement and imagination that embraces York and the Central Pennsylvania region. The College will pursue this vision by cultivating partnerships that expand creativity, innovation, art and design curriculum, and innovative co-curricular programs to leverage the region’s distinct ecosystem while supporting a creative workforce and creative entrepreneurs,” says President Michael Molla. 

Through support from the Arthur J. and Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation, Royal Square Development and Construction, Jolene and Julian Tolbert, and other community philanthropists, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design has also been able to obtain a temporary popup location to introduce programs and partner with a wide range of creatives, educators, students, non-profits, and residents of York while obtaining investigative information to understand the cultural, educational, and creative landscape of York. The location at 133 S. Duke Street in the Royal Square Arts District in the City of York, will provide a variety of programming engagement events. Pennsylvania College of Art & Design – York opens on July 1, 2022, and will immediately begin hosting conversations and creative partnership events and programming with community members to best engage and learn about creative access and inclusion opportunities in York. 

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design – York also is the temporary home of The Agency of PCA&D.  The Agency is an experiential learning course offering students critical real-life and career readiness design skills and marketing services to benefit community-based nonprofit organizations. The first round of selected non-profits are each receiving $10k+ of complementary graphic design and marketing materials that will provide tools and branding needs to help tell the story of each organization. These services keep non-profit organizations’ costs low while providing a significant impact to fulfill their missions. 

Additionally, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design – York will provide programming through PCA&D’s Center for Creative Exploration. The Center for Creative Exploration offers creative experiences for adults, high school students, and children in grades 1-9. Programming at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design – York will be centered on creative community engagement via a variety of art activities, workshops, and classes. CCE is interested in how these workshops and engagements will unveil and strengthen existing relationships between PCA&D and the York creative community as well as foster new connections and opportunities to unlock creativity.