Providing the ultimate combo of culture, creativity and opportunity, Philadelphia is one of the best cities for students pursuing careers in art and design. As the only college in Philly’s Parkway Museums District, Moore College of Art & Design works hand in hand with the city to provide students across our 10 majors (like Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation & Game Arts, Interior Design and more!) a home for creative excellence.
Among museums, murals and the thriving arts community, Moore students find countless ways to fuel their work while gaining real-world skills throughout the city:
More Museums, Galleries and Murals Than Ever
More than 4,000 murals and the nation’s largest public art program make Philadelphia the “Mural Capital of the World.” It’s no surprise that Philly was voted the best city for street art in USA Today’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for 2026.
Moore students discover inspiration at institutions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation and The Fabric Workshop and Museum, all within walking distance of campus. That inspiration extends beyond art museums to The Academy of Natural Sciences (great for members of Moore’s Scientific Illustration Club) and The Franklin Institute, both right next door, as well as the nearby Mütter Museum. There are also dozens of nearby galleries and community-driven spaces hosting exciting exhibitions, artist talks and interactive workshops.
Philly’s Museums District is always growing, too: The new Calder Gardens, offering both indoor and outdoor experiences of artist Alexander Calder’s work, opened in September 2025.
Partnerships That Launch Creative Careers
In Philadelphia, your education extends into the city. Collaborations between cultural institutions, internships with production companies, connections to Philly’s comic art scene and more give art students a running start on their creative careers, no matter the field or discipline.
Moore holds partnerships with major cultural institutions across the city and nation, including Philadelphia Ballet, The Franklin Insititute and ArtistYear, to create professional and creative opportunities for our students. We’re also the first independent art and design school in the country to become an Adobe Creative Campus, a partnership that gives you the tools to earn digital certifications and boost your resume from your homebase in Philly.
An Urban Arts Ecosystem That Keeps You Connected
An exceptional art and design education depends on in-person access to materials, creative spaces and other resources. Philadelphia offers all this and more as one of the most walkable cities in the nation, thanks to a grid layout that makes it easy to get around. Grab a coffee, catch a show, spend time in the park and make it back to Moore’s campus in the heart of the Museum District without missing a beat.
Philly is also located in a unique position on the East Coast, within easy travel distance of cities like New York City, Boston, Baltimore and Washington, DC. The William H. Gray III 30th Street Station is not only a major center for Amtrak travel along the Northeast Corridor, but also of the most beautiful train stations in the US according to National Geographic in 2025.
Affordable Living for Art Students and Emerging Artists
Philadelphia boasts a more affordable cost of living compared to other creative hubs in the US. According to Redfin, the total cost of living in Philadelphia is 53-123% lower than New York City, 42% lower than Los Angeles, CA, and 28% lower than Washington, DC.
Moore makes living in the city even more accessible with on-campus housing. We’re one of the only art and design schools in the country that guarantees four years of housing to every student. Our newest residence, Rittenhouse Hall, provides upscale, apartment-style living in the heart of Philly at a comparable cost to our on-campus residence halls. We also offer housing grants so you can focus on your creative growth instead of your finances.
Platforms for Students and Alumni to Showcase Work
Moore students and alumni share their art in spaces across the city and region, putting projects where people can experience them firsthand:
- Fashion Design alumna Ensaam Farraj ’26 represented Moore in a Philadelphia Inquirer feature showcasing student-created wedding looks for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
- Illustration alumna Hadley Precht ’25 designed the label for Zero Fox Given, a winter red IPA from Dock Street Brewery (founded and owned by Photography alumna Rosemarie Certo ’78).
- Students and alumni participated in a pop-up exhibition at the National Liberty Museum, showing textile designs developed in Moore’s Drawing & Painting into Pattern course.
- Students created and sold food-themed pieces through Art for Food, an exhibition that raised funds for hunger-relief organization Philabundance, using their skills to support the local community.
Through Moore’s off-campus exhibition partners, alumni also exhibit at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and at Dock Street Brewery’s Fishtown taproom. Together, these spaces reflect a city where artists can keep sharing their ideas long after graduation.
About Moore College of Art & Design
Moore College of Art & Design prepares students for successful, high-impact careers. Our dynamic programs and uniquely inclusive environment foster creative excellence and amplify artistic potential, preparing our graduates to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of art and design. For more information about Moore, visit www.moore.edu and follow us on social media @moorecollegeart.
Want to learn more about our campus and majors? Contact our Admissions team at enroll@moore.edu or 215.965.4015 to set up a call or a campus visit. We’d love to tell you more!
