The Performance Garage is a
unique space dedicated to the art of dance.
Unique to the Philadelphia landscape, the Performance Garage is a distinctive dance space that was originally a nineteenth-century horse stable and automobile garage. Renovated in December 2002, the Performance Garage was transformed into a versatile dance space available to rent 7 days a week.
The Performance Garage offers studio and production rental space to artists at highly subsidized rates, and is a home to choreographers, dancers, and educators at all stages of their careers.
The Performance Garage is located at 1515 Brandywine Street in Spring Garden neighborhood, near Fairmount, and is an official part of Avenue of the Arts North.
The Performance Garage wholly supports the cause of racial equality, as we have since our founding in 2000. For more than 20 years, we have worked through various partnerships and programs to nurture dance amongst the youth in our neighborhood and in schools around Philadelphia. We are proud of this investment in the lives of young people and grateful for their contributions to the future of the arts. We are a home for choreographers, dancers and dance lovers of all races and ethnicities.
Read more about the Performance Garage in John Timpane's article for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
MISSION & HISTORY
Mission
As catalyst for creativity, it is the mission of the Performance Garage to create an environment that nurtures dance artists and facilitates the building of a broader audience for dance in Philadelphia.
Vision
It is the vision of the Performance Garage to be a nationally-recognized dance organization, creating a sustainable home for artistic excellence and providing diverse programming for Philadelphia audiences.
Values
In executing its mission and in pursuit of its vision, the Performance Garage believes that:
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dance artists require access to affordable and professional spaces
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dance artists need additional support and resources to create work
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dance artists deserve an affirming, inclusive, and nurturing space to explore their practices
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dance audiences should have access to dance performances and dance programs throughout the year
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the dance community will be strengthened through a robust and well-funded home for dance in Philadelphia
Founded in 2000 by Jeanne Ruddy and Victor Keen, the Performance Garage is a 501 (c)(3) organization located in the Spring Garden area of Philadelphia. The Performance Garage is housed in a historic 19th century building that was originally a horse stable later converted into an auto repair garage. In 2002 the historic façade was renovated, and the space was transformed into a versatile dance studio and theater with accompanying offices.
For twelve years the Performance Garage served as a home for Jeanne Ruddy Dance, a non-profit modern dance company under the artistic leadership of former Martha Graham Company Principal Dancer Jeanne Ruddy. The final season for Jeanne Ruddy Dance was held in 2012, launching a Legacy Plan to preserve the company’s repertory and shifting focus to the Performance Garage. For more information about the former Jeanne Ruddy Dance, visit ruddydance.org.
The Performance Garage continues to serve Philadelphia’s performing arts communities through its rental and outreach programs, acting as a catalyst for creativity.