STUDENT LIFE
Our City
Philadelphia is a vibrant arts city and a hub for interdisciplinary performance work. The city boasts massive international arts festivals (the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts), major regional theatres (The Wilma Theater, Arden Theatre Company, People's Light, Philadelphia Theatre Company) renowned dance companies (Pennsylvania Ballet, BalletX, Koresh), and an ever-evolving experimental arts community.
Philadelphia's proximity to New York (90 minutes by train) and Baltimore and Washington, DC (2 hours by train) make it an ideal spot for artists to soak in many of the cultural offerings on the Eastern Seaboard. Philadelphia continues to attract young artists thanks to its affordability, its vibrant arts and culture scene, its amazing restaurants, its abundance of interesting "found" spaces for studios and rehearsals, and its growing appetite for forward-thinking art.
Our Neighborhood
The Pig Iron studios are located in South Kensington, a neighborhood in the lower Northeast portion of Philadelphia. Along with the adjacent Fishtown neighborhood, the area has a long history associated with the shad fishing trade, and is now a popular neighborhood for young professionals, artists, and families. Frankford Avenue, mere blocks from Pig Iron, is a popular destination for dining, concerts, and nightlife, and is the de-facto cultural center of the neighborhood.
Pig Iron is easily accessible by public transportation, two blocks away from the Market-Frankford Line (Blue Line) one block away from major bus routes.
Our Studios
Pig Iron Studios are located in the Crane Old School building, a mixed-use space that we share with other artists and makers. On the first floor, where students spend most of their time, there are three large studios, a kitchen, green rooms, and a lounge for student use. Administrative offices, where friendly staff are ready to help, are located on the second floor.