PHILADELPHIA (May 15, 2025)—Moore College of Art & Design (“Moore”) is expanding its corporate and cultural partnerships with the launch of a new collaboration with The Franklin Institute, one of the country’s leading science museums. The partnership will support the debut of Moore’s Entertainment Design major, which will welcome its inaugural class in Fall 2025, and provide students with unparalleled access to hands-on learning experiences.
This strategic relationship reflects Moore’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for success in the global creative economy by connecting them directly with industry professionals, real-world projects and innovative exhibition opportunities. As the demand for forward-thinking designers and creators grows, Moore is responding by expanding its academic offerings to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in new, dynamic fields.
“Moore's collaborative relationship with The Franklin Institute is a transformative partnership that brings our students face-to-face with the industries they’re preparing to join,” said Claudine Thomas, chief academic officer, Moore College of Art & Design. “We’re continuing our leadership as a college whose students not only learn about creative careers—but also actively participate in them through hands-on experiences that set them apart.”
The Entertainment Design program, inspired by one of the fastest-growing fields in art and design, blends coursework from Moore majors such as Animation & Game Arts, Graphic Design, Film & Digital Cinema, and Interior Design to meet the needs of creative industries. Students enrolled in this interdisciplinary major focus on creating immersive experiences through interactive design in sectors such as museum exhibitions, theme parks, special immersive events, concert venues, and more. Moore will welcome its inaugural class of Entertainment Design students in fall 2025.
As a key industry partner, The Franklin Institute will offer mentorship, access to exhibition spaces, and opportunities for students to work on creative design projects in a professional setting. This includes providing classroom space for a project-based course, inviting students to participate in value-added events, and hosting a summer fellowship for one student to gain paid, real-world experience through Moore. The partnership also opens the door for co-hosted events and student-facing programming.
“Engaging audiences in creative, immersive experiences that inspire curiosity and spark discovery is core to what we do at The Franklin Institute,” said Abby Bysshe, chief experience and strategy officer, The Franklin Institute. “We're excited to welcome Moore’s inaugural class for an inside look at the science of entertainment through this innovative partnership.”
As an example of Moore’s close collaboration with the Franklin Institute, Moore will premiere the exhibition Pandemonium by sculpture and installation artist Michelle Lopez, in fall 2025, presented at The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design and at the Franklin Institute’s Planetarium. Supported by a grant from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Pandemonium is an immersive multimedia installation integrating art, environmental science, and artificial intelligence to explore the global climate crisis.
About Moore College of Art & Design
Founded during the original industrial revolution to advance women in new fields, Moore College of Art & Design is the first and only historically women’s college for art and design. Our mission is more relevant than ever, as technology, sustainability, and diverse cultures drive and disrupt new and existing industries. Through dynamic BFA and co-educational Graduate Studies programs, educational programs for creatively curious youth and professional adult learners, and our public and dedicated space for contemporary art—The Galleries at Moore—we are influencers and advocates for breakthrough artists and designers of all ages and backgrounds. The world needs Moore. For more information about Moore, visit www.moore.edu and follow us on social media @moorecollegeart.
About The Franklin Institute
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center of activity. Pennsylvania’s most visited museum, it is dedicated to creating a passion for learning about science by offering access to hands-on science education. For more information, visit www.fi.edu.
For press inquires, contact:
Gabi Stevenson
Communications Manager, Moore College of Art & Design
gstevenson@moore.edu | 610.551.8231
Stefanie Santo
Director of Media Relations and Communications, The Franklin Institute
ssanto@fi.edu | 215.448.1152
