Philadelphia Sketch Club

What Philadelphia Sketch Club does

The Philadelphia Sketch Club (PSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 1860 and headquartered at 235 South Camac Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is self-described as America's oldest artist club, with historical ties to American masters Thomas Eakins and Thomas Anshutz. PSC operates a historic clubhouse that houses a gallery and a printmaking studio equipped with an etching press, delivering an integrated portfolio of visual-arts programming to a community of artists and art supporters in the Northeast United States.

PSC's core products consist of (i) recurring Open Studio workshops including figure drawing and life drawing sessions held multiple days per week with paid models; (ii) specialized instructional courses in printmaking (lithography, etching, monotype, relief), watercolor, and zine-making; (iii) an annual exhibitions program featuring both juried shows (162nd Small Oils, Absolutely Abstract, Phillustration, Art of the Flower, "Somewhere I've Been") and non-juried shows (Workshops Exhibition); (iv) a monthly Portfolio newsletter edited and produced continuously since 2015; and (v) a Facebook-based Critique Group for peer feedback. A merchandise design competition was introduced in February 2026 as a new engagement and revenue initiative. Technology used by the organization is modest: a WordPress website for content and event publishing, Entrythingy for online exhibition submission management, and standard email/social channels (Facebook, Instagram).

PSC operates as a membership-based nonprofit with a community-led go-to-market model. Revenue streams include annual membership dues, tax-deductible donations (Benefactor $250, Patron $150, Angel $50, Donor any amount), workshop fees ($65 members / $80 non-members for printmaking), exhibition entry fees processed via Entrythingy, and an annual gala with tiered ticket sales ($75–$175) plus live and silent auctions. Distribution is primarily direct and in-person at the Philadelphia clubhouse, with public gallery admission free on Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun afternoons. The organization is largely volunteer-run with a small paid staff of 1–10 employees and key volunteer leaders including the Gallery Manager, Portfolio Editor, Board Member, and Development Committee Chair.

Name

Philadelphia Sketch Club

Legal name

Philadelphia Sketch Club

Website

https://sketchclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1860

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Philadelphia Sketch Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1860 and America's oldest artist club, operating from a historic Philadelphia clubhouse to serve individual visual artists with workshops (figure drawing, printmaking, watercolor), juried exhibitions, a critique community, and annual fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Education and Community Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

Keywords

• Art workshops
• Figure drawing sessions
• Printmaking classes
• Art exhibitions
• Artist membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to workshops, studio space, exhibition opportunities, and gallery access. Includes benefits such as free gallery admission and members-only content.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations at various levels (Benefactor $250, Patron $150, Angel $50, Donor any amount). Also includes memorial gifts, exhibition sponsorships, and bequests.
3. Workshop Fees: Fees for workshops including Figure Drawing, Printmaking ($65 members, $80 non-members), and specialty courses. Workshop attendance is tracked through mailing list sign-ups.
4. Exhibition Entry Fees: Juried and open exhibitions accept entries through Entrythingy platform, with artists submitting works for consideration.
5. Gala Events and Fundraisers: Annual anniversary gala with ticket sales at various tiers (Patron $175, Art Lover $125, Art Supporter $75) including live and silent auctions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Philadelphia Sketch Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership-based artist organization that provides studio space, life drawing and printmaking workshops, and an annual program of juried and open exhibitions. Founded in 1860 as America's oldest artist club, it operates from a historic clubhouse in Philadelphia, offering community, education, and exhibition opportunities to visual artists. The organization generates revenue through annual membership dues, workshop fees, exhibition entry fees, donations, and an annual fundraising gala.

Product overview

Philadelphia Sketch Club operates as America's oldest artist club (founded 1860), offering a portfolio of interconnected arts programs centered around its nonprofit membership organization. Core offerings include Open Studio Workshops for figure drawing and life sessions, Printmaking Workshops teaching etching and related techniques, and watercolor instruction courses. The exhibitions program runs annual juried and non-juried shows including Small Oils, Absolutely Abstract, Phillustration, and Workshops Exhibition. The monthly Portfolio Newsletter keeps members informed of events and opportunities. Additional offerings include a Facebook-based critique group, donation programs with giving tiers, annual galas, and membership access to facilities and member-only content. The organization recently introduced merchandise design competitions as a new engagement initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open Studio Workshops Regular figure drawing and life drawing sessions with live models held Mondays through Sundays at various times, open to members and the public for skill development.
• Printmaking Workshops Workshops in the historic PSC Printmaking Studio teaching etching, lithography, monotype, and relief printing techniques, with member and non-member fee tiers.
• Watercolor Courses A five-week watercolor course focused on gradient control, water bead timing, intentional mark making, and edge management, taught in the PSC Upstairs Gallery.
• Zine-Making Workshop A beginner-level workshop teaching zine history, folding techniques, and hands-on zine design, with materials provided.
• Exhibitions Program Annual program of juried and non-juried exhibitions including Small Oils, Absolutely Abstract, Phillustration (illustration), Art of the Flower, Workshops Exhibition, and Art as Civic Voice, with award presentations and reception events.
• Membership Program Annual membership providing artists with access to workshops, studio space, gallery attendance, members-only content, the current members directory, and volunteer opportunities across committees.
• Portfolio Newsletter A monthly member newsletter published since 2015, covering PSC events, member exhibitions, awards, and calls for entries, with a complete public archive.
• Critique Group A peer critique community hosted on Facebook where members share artwork and receive feedback from fellow artists.
• Donation Programs Tax-deductible charitable giving options including Benefactor, Patron, Angel, and Donor tiers, plus memorial gifts, exhibition and award sponsorships, bequests, and Amazon Smile giving integration.
• Annual Gala A major annual fundraising gala featuring Sketch Club Medal of Honor presentations, live and silent auctions, and tiered ticket sales for members, patrons, and the public.
• Gallery Exhibition Viewing Free public access to the PSC gallery at 235 South Camac Street, Philadelphia, during scheduled hours by appointment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Regular exhibition programming with 162nd annual Small Oils Exhibition and multiple juried shows per year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhiladelphia Sketch Club is registered as a charitable organization on Amazon Smile, allowing shoppers to direct a percentage of purchases as donations to support the club's operations and programs.
• BLICK Art MaterialsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBLICK Art Materials provided custom framing as a live auction item at the 165th Annual Gala, supporting the club's fundraising efforts.
• EntrythingycoreTechnology or IntegrationEntrythingy is the online exhibition entry platform used by PSC for artist submissions to juried exhibitions including the 162nd Small Oils Exhibition and Workshops Exhibition 2026.
• Wyeth Family Legacy (Victoria Wyeth)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVictoria Wyeth participated in the 165th Annual Gala online auction, offering two evenings of fine dining with the Wyeth family legacy, supporting PSC fundraising.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Fleisher Art Memorial: Philadelphia nonprofit community art school offering low-cost studio workshops, exhibitions, and classes — a regional peer providing comparable hands-on art education in the same market.
• The Michener Art Museum: Pennsylvania-based art museum with exhibitions, classes, and arts programming — a regional peer in the broader Pennsylvania visual arts ecosystem.
• The Clay Studio: Philadelphia nonprofit ceramics organization offering classes, exhibitions, and residencies — a regional peer nonprofit arts education and exhibition organization.
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA): Historic Philadelphia-based art school and museum offering exhibitions, classes, and a permanent collection — a regional peer operating in the same Philadelphia arts ecosystem with overlapping audiences.
• Woodmere Art Museum: Philadelphia art museum focused on regional artists with rotating exhibitions and educational programs — a regional peer in visual arts programming and community engagement.
• Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA): Philadelphia nonprofit supporting visual artists through exhibitions, professional development, and studio programs — directly overlapping PSC's mission to support visual artists in the Philadelphia region.

Direct peers

• The Arts Club of Chicago: Private membership nonprofit (founded 1916) presenting exhibitions, lectures, and performances to arts supporters — a peer membership model centered on visual arts programming and gallery operations.
• National Arts Club: Historic NYC membership arts organization (founded 1898) providing exhibition space, classes, lectures, and member services to visual artists — comparable nonprofit membership club serving a similar artist demographic.
• Salmagundi Club: One of America's oldest artist clubs (founded 1871 in NYC), operating as a membership-based nonprofit offering exhibitions, workshops, sketch classes, and a historic clubhouse — directly parallel to Philadelphia Sketch Club's model.
• Art Students League of New York: Long-running nonprofit art school and artist community offering workshops, studio space, exhibitions, and critique — directly comparable to PSC's educational and community programming for visual artists.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thesketchclub
• Instagraminstagram.com/philadelphiasketch
• Xx.com/PhilaSketchClub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Philadelphia Sketch Club