Collective Futures

is a city-wide celebration of Philadelphia’s vibrant network of artist-run spaces, DIY venues, and community-driven art initiatives. Taking place over six weeks in fall 2026, the festival will showcase the creative power of collectivity through exhibitions, workshops, performances, and public programs that engage both local and national audiences.

Bringing together more than 25 independent spaces and organizations, Collective Futures highlights the vital role of grassroots initiatives in shaping civic dialogue, cultural innovation, and community resilience. With a focus on supporting underrepresented artists and amplifying local voices, the festival will activate neighborhoods across the city—including Kensington, North Chinatown, West Philly, Fishtown, and Old City—creating accessible, neighborhood-based cultural experiences.

Coinciding with the celebrations surrounding America’s 250th birthday, Collective Futures situates Philadelphia’s artist-run ecosystem within a broader national conversation about democracy, creativity, and collective care.

At its core, the project is a multifaceted exploration of collective practices, storytelling, and the intersections of art, community, and infrastructure. Rooted in collaboration and experimentation, it seeks to amplify diverse perspectives while fostering connections between local and national networks. Through exhibitions, publications, and public programs, Collective Futures investigates the inner workings, histories, and creative processes of collectives—centering storytelling as a tool for cultural preservation and expression. Using oral histories, printmaking, and site-specific artworks, the festival will illuminate the interplay between artists, communities, and their environments.

By combining critical reflection with artistic production, Collective Futures aims to create a blueprint for equitable and sustainable collaboration—reimagining how art can mobilize resources, deepen connections, and envision transformative futures.

Collective Futures

is:

City Arts Salon

In March 2011, photographer Kenny White created the City Arts Salon to provide an alternative exhibition space for artists in all different phases of their careers who do not have exclusive relationships with galleries. Originally located in the Fishtown/West Kensington section of Philadelphia, the CAS is now hosted in Kenny’s spacious Germantown studio. In a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere, artists, community members, patrons, and collectors can make meaningful connections and exchange creative energy.

Two-person exhibitions have become a specialty of the CAS, showcasing a breadth of work for each artist not possible in typical large group shows. These “visual dialogues” offer an intimate viewing experience and a setting for personal engagement with the artists. Each exhibition is curated to highlight exceptional quality, originality, and the diverse perspectives shaping contemporary art today.

By bringing together these diverse voices, we create opportunities for collectors to discover work that resonates not only aesthetically, but also intellectually and emotionally. Every acquisition from the City Arts Salon is an investment in artistic excellence and cultural conversation—a chance to support living artists while building a collection of enduring significance.

Address: 5838 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa
(entrance and parking on West Rittenhouse St.)
Gallery hours: W-F 11:00-3:00pm, Sat 12:00-3:00pm, or contact us for an appointment
Contact: cityartssalon@gmail.com; 267-975-7622
cityartssalon.com