About the Hub 

The Kensington Storefront builds on the work done in other parts of Porch Light, an ongoing partnership between Mural Arts, and the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIdS). Over the past five years, Mural Arts has expanded its impact in neighborhoods with the development and maintenance of storefront hubs, such as Southeast by Southeast in South Philadelphia, and Northeast Passage in Northeast Philadelphia. These physical spaces have paved the way for better connections with local communities and organizations, thanks to a dedicated footprint and extended time for interactions with staff and artists.

There are many organizations engaged in Kensington, all working toward uplifting the resilience of a community fractured by substance use, crime, and housing insecurity. The storefront serves as a workshop for visiting artists, a safe space for neighbors, and a learning hub for anyone interested in art-making, personal and public safety, or self-care—but it also serves as a hub for area organizations, with the intention of working more effectively together. Public programming at the storefront and in various locations throughout Kensington creates opportunities for community members to speak for themselves in a profoundly public way, and connects individuals to organizations that provide services and referrals that they might not otherwise encounter.

Hub Calendar 

Recent Press 

Mural Arts Philadelphia taking art to the streets with “Kensington Storefront Van” — 6abc, October 11, 2022

At Kensington Storefront, those struggling with addiction get to tell their stories — WHYY, July 1, 2018

A Porch Light In Kensington — Philadelphia Citizen, March 29, 2017

Combatting opioids with paint: Mural Arts sets up shop in heart of epidemic — WHYY, March 27, 2017

Porch Light for artists trying to make Kensington brighter in every way — Fox29, April 4, 2017

Partners 

Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)

Independence Blue Cross

New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)

Prevention Point

Esperanza Health Center

Impact Services

McPherson Library

Elkin Elementary School

Community Center at Visitation

Kensington Corridor Trust