Our Mission, Vision, and History

Philadelphia Scenic Works (PSW) is a fully outfitted theatrical scene shop, paint space and props shop that provides high-quality, affordable scenic and props fabrication, storage, and build space. PSW serves the Philadelphia region’s robust community of non-profit theatre companies and other cultural and educational organizations by maintaining the highest artistic standards, while embracing a more sustainable future through shared pools of recycled, reused, and repurposed stock and resources.

Philadelphia Scenic Works (PSW) endeavors to establish a robust, equitable, sustainable, reliable, and affordable scenic fabrication economy for the arts organizations within our region. Equipped with a fully functional workshop and a skilled staff ready to execute projects for arts organizations as required, PSW offers the advantages of having one's own scene shop without the year-round costs.

Without PSW, arts organizations face significant challenges in fulfilling their scenic requirements. Commercial shops are prohibitively expensive, especially for smaller organizations, and maintaining an in-house scene shop, akin to larger companies, is also financially burdensome for most entities. Historically, companies resorted to hiring freelance artists to address their scenic needs. However, the freelance economy has long been known for its instability. Even before the pandemic, freelance technicians typically remained in the industry for only a few years. Consequently, arts organizations were compelled to seek new talent every few years, leading to inconsistent quality and a lack of continuity in understanding their unique spaces and practices.

The pandemic exacerbated this issue, causing many freelancers to transition to other industries or more stable employment opportunities. The current economic climate is not particularly inviting for new freelancers. Therefore, PSW is investing in the workforce by upholding fair labor standards, providing competitive wages, and implementing training and pipeline development programs. PSW's is not only expanding the pool of potential employees but also to enhancing the overall proficiency and appreciation of the scenic arts.

Furthermore, PSW is fostering a more diverse talent pool, which in a city that is very racially and economically diverse, has been historically middle class and white. Until now, access to scenic arts careers has primarily been limited to those who can afford a four-year degree and endure minimal wages while working their way up the industry hierarchy. By streamlining the path for employees, we can bypass these obstacles, and thus open doors to a broader spectrum of candidates. The result is a more robust and diverse workforce for the greater arts economy.

Additionally, by maintaining a fully functional workshop and storage space, PSW reduces material waste by storing, reusing, and repurposing scenery. PSW also harnesses the efficiencies of scale, for example, by purchasing lumber in bulk. Finally, PSW serves as a connector amongst organizations, encouraging a facilitating a robust sharing economy. 

PSW was founded in 2016 in response to the closure of one of the region’s few affordable scene shops, leaving many local arts organizations without essential support for their productions. Recognizing this critical gap, leaders from organizations including InterAct Theatre, Theatre Horizon, and Act II Playhouse came together to create Philadelphia Scenic Works.

Since its inception, PSW has addressed a pressing need within the arts community by offering affordable, high-quality fabrication, shop space, and scenery rentals. This has enabled over 90 organizations, including theaters, museums, and cultural institutions, to continue producing innovative work despite the challenges posed by increasing costs and the volatile labor market.

PSW’s impact extends beyond just providing fabrication services; it plays a crucial role in stabilizing the technical artist workforce. Through its Technical Artist Workforce Development program, PSW offers equitable employment, competitive wages, and free training, ensuring that skilled artists and technicians can thrive in a sustainable environment. This initiative not only enhances the quality of productions but also diversifies and strengthens the pipeline of technical artists in the region.

In just seven years, PSW has become a cornerstone of the Philadelphia arts ecosystem, enriching the cultural landscape while addressing systemic challenges faced by smaller organizations and artists alike.