Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
The Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia
Categories
Location on the map
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, US
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Restaurant
No
Phone: +1 215-561-8888
Site: http://fabricworkshopandmuseum.org/
Site: http://fabricworkshopandmuseum.org/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:12–6PM
- Wednesday:12–6PM
- Thursday:12–6PM
- Friday:12–6PM
- Saturday:12–5PM
- Sunday:12–5PM
Comments (84)
Still an amazing museum and must stop for us when we are in Philadelphia :)
Pros: Its pay what you wantCons: Current exhibits could be experienced as weird, disturbing, and/or grotesque. 8th floor probably worth seeing. 1st-2nd floors just strange.
Small but worthwhile museum, especially since its donation only for the entrance fee. We went to see an Ursula von Rydingsvard show and it was definitely worth checking out if its still there. The gift shop was very expensive. I wouldnt bring kids here, theres a lot of fun stuff they could grab and theres no barriers.
I enjoyed my visit. I was on a date and we both enjoyed it. A nice small place to stop by and visit and check out. five stars all the way keep up the good work Philadelphia needs more establishments like this. Happy to see you survived the covid-19 outbreak.
I enjoyed the “Poorly Watched Girls exhibit. The guides were helpful, especially Nikki.
Strange and uncomfortable....the suggested donation isnt a suggestion at all. I held out a twenty after the man told me its $5 a person to get in he just stared at it like he had never seen money before I was expecting a $5 in exchange since there were only 3 of us I ended up just shoving the $20 in the donation box because I just wanted to get away from this guy...of all of the museums Ive been in I have never been wanded down with a metal detector... You would swear they think its the U.S. mint theyre protecting and not a bunch of dish rags. My daughter did get to use a loom and the women on floor #2 were great. The guy at reception was creepy and followed us around the first floor where he stood watching us while avoiding eye contact and offering no explanation of the art or his strange behavior. My 11 year old daughter thought it was absurd thats how incredibly strange it was. If there was a different display and the suggested donation was actually just a suggestion I might consider returning but not while this creepy gentleman is employed there. Most uncomfortable situation Ive ever encountered in a museum and I have been to many. Also there was very little actual fabric. I actually saw more on display at the liberty museum. I literally could have made everything I saw here myself probably for what it cost me to view it. worst experience of my trip and I walked through a tunnel that wreaked of human urine filled with unsavory types and walked past a man on the street who Im pretty sure was dead from an overdose so thats saying quite alot.
Small but nice; the gallery space here is only on a few floors of the building (at least when I visited for the Ursula von Rydingssvard exhibit). Theres also a workshop space which was hosting an all ages event on a separate floor. There arent docent tours like there used to be, but the docents are on every floor and are able to answer most questions youll have. The gift shop has some cool items too! For the $5 suggested donation I think its worth it, and a good way to spend an hour (give or take) in the city.
This hidden museum is a real treasure and a bargain at only $5 for admission. Most of the exhibits are temporary so its worth coming back again and again. The gift shop has plenty of unique and fun items whether you are looking to spend $10 or $1000. Very close to Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown, so plenty of places to get food and drink nearby.
It is a small museum but incredibly well curated. Sonya Clarkes exhibition based on the Confedrate truce flag is beyond moving. My wife was working the loom within seconds. The Bill Viola exhibit on the first floor was an appetizer for the larger show at PAFA on Broad Street. We always do these 2 spaces together and it makes for a great afternoon
It may not be the fault of the museum, but we found it on several sites for FREE and while I would have paid, the front desk all but fleeced my parents for a donation to enter leaving them with a bad taste. If you are not super into the current exhibit I would think twice.
Interesting and simple exhibits. I enjoyed the printing activity very much and I believe my youth enjoyed themselves. Would definitely suggest trips in small groups of 20 or less people.
Sign out front says “Open” so after waitng two days to have enough time to visit, I went in only to be told that they are closed because they were setting up for next exhibit. I could see the lovely gift shop and thought at least I could go in but again I was told that was closed too. Seems like not one of the three people sitting behind the desk could open the gift shop. I ask why their sign was out front it everything was closed and was told they still offered a class. Seems to me they should change their sign. I really was interested in the gift shop too. Guess I’ll just have to shop for gifts somewhere else before returning home. Heard someone yell “sorry” on the way out. Very disappointed.
Interesting place. Theres a cute shop inside that seems fabric textile products. However thats the only fabric I saw there. They did have an wonderful exhibit on Louis Kahn, an famous architect,which was very interesting. Thankfully I have an interest in architecture as well as fabrics! Plus it was free!
An amazing gallery/museum that is just the right size for me - not too big. I can spend time with every piece and not get overwhelmed by all the pieces. The Ursula Von Rydingsvard exhibit is amazing!
Incredible institution. The exhibit I saw (Blood Moon) was new and creative.
Love this small and fascinating museum! Thought provoking exhibits. I would definitely visit here every time I am in Philly.
Strange and very limited exhibits!
Very didactic space, artworks are presented in a manner where the material processes are the highlight for considerstion. Studio has done Lots of collabs with big name contemporary artists. Cool programs for city kids and students
Great exhibition with Lenka Clayton, a must see video, amazing One Brown Shoe story. Cant miss the FWM when I am in Philly! Great screen-printing on Fabric exhibition. Merci pour ce bon moment...
Honestly if you want to be stared at and made uncomfortable then this is the place for you! Super unfriendly staff. They make it apparent that the “five dollar donation suggestion” isn’t really a suggestion at all. Lacking interesting material and overall a waste of space!
My wife and I stopped by for a second time to see what was showing. The facility is well be managed, shows interesting and diverse works and has a nice gift shop that is well curated.
This is an awesome small museum. The exhibit we saw was impressive and very different than expected.
Nice museum, had some interesting pieces of fabric, although we saw less about actual fabric piecea than we did fabric art. Takes about 1 hour to see everything.
This is a nice exhibit for artistically impartial adults, but they also allow you to do your own screen printing during the tour.
The museum was free to enter, but they could not refund my time spent. Very awkward exhibit. Not sure what it has to do with fabric.
Great information on the history of Fabric, and how its used in Modern Times. Great Museum Space, Store, Activities and Staff.
Some interesting pieces of work...but if youre a tree lover ...i wouldnt advise you to go. Youll see more cedar than fabric.
Really cool little museum. Awesome artists featured. Close to Chinatown, great little date spot.
This is a wonderful outlet for upcoming artists. Staff was friendly and professional. Interesting neighborhood gem.
Many young,fresh ideas and also history of events and tendencies.Great visuals!
Not Smormu friendly
Very nice place. The youth love the programs. It is a nice walk three for adults.
Great place with lots of cool pieces. Definitely check it out if youre in town
Glad to have found this place. Would visit again the next time Im in Philly
Great programs, great exhibitions, great retail shop, and super friendly staff.
Always interesting exhibits here! Open and creative art museum
The fabric shows are great, regular set does not so much.
Very interesting little place. More art gallery than museum.
Free to the public with thoughtful, engaging, and inspired work on display for s few mknths at a time
Unique museum focusing on textiles that has been around for 40 years.
Nice visit every time I come for an exhibition.
They didnt have anything going on when we stopped in. We just spent our money somewhere else.
Happy to be there for the first time sad that no one else was there
Great exhibits and love the space.
The staff and security was great as far as assistance...
Great pay what you want museum
I didnt understand it and wanted to go out asap
Disappointed that there werent any artists in house.
If you have any interest in fabrics this is the place to be in Philadelphia.
This is a jewel hiding in plain sight!
Astounding exhibition in April 2019
By donation. Great exhibits.
Always an interesting installation at this place
What a delightful and engaging surprise!
A different approach and display of art.
Good sysposium with artists
Good show good space
A perfect art workshop!
Cool Philadelphia hidden gem
Great place
Its beautiful and
Great work
Always amazing
Meh
Interesting place.
Nice
Good
Absolutely amazing
Was hoping it was more.
An absolute gem!
Nice place
Surprised :)
Good exhibitions, even if they dont have all the time
Good place...
Total reviews rating 4.3
84 Reviews for The Fabric Workshop and Museum 2023:
Review №1
2021-08-03Was very impressed by the Fabric museum! The museum isnt massive, similar to the Neon Museum further north, however the pieces here were fascinating and great to study. Similarly, the overall space and setup are great, with the gallery being split across different floors. For the low cost of entry, Id definitely recommend a visit.
Review №2
2021-08-18Grate visit. Book only in advance and by schedule. Galleys are super interesting, the staff is really nice and polite. if you go in the afternoon on a weekend you will find less people and more space. Amazing location to other must visit in Philly. Sadly one of the exhibitions floors was close :(
Review №3
2021-02-21Galleries only occupy 3 small floors of this 8 story building. Though there were only a few, the exhibits on display were thought provoking and unique.
Review №4
2018-02-24This museum is doing everything right. Welcoming front desk and knowledgeable in-gallery staff, brilliantly curated exhibitions about their residencies (with top shelf artists and artist boxes to document their process), and fun store with affordable works by the artists. Its small enough to see in one trip and big enough to feel worth the cost (a suggested $5 donation). My partner and I spent time here while we waited for our Greyhound bus departure and Im super glad we werent able to get an earlier ticket, otherwise we wouldve missed it!
Review №5
2020-10-07It is a great place for people who wanna hang out in the center city! $5 admission for the amazing exhibition, i can’t find the reason not visiting!(the 1st, 2nd and the eighth floor are available for visiting, I would recommend sparing about 1-1.5 hours the maximum)
Review №6
2022-02-17I found this rare gem during a street tour in Philly. I will definitely check the museum out when next I’m in Philadelphia. I visited on a Monday and it was closed. However, as a seamstress and fashion designer I still highly recommend.
Review №7
2022-01-18Nice little museum..open Tuesdays when most PHL museums are shut
Review №8
2019-08-21I love everything about this museum and it’s mission! Brava. Particularly enjoy the joint exhibit with the African-American Museum featuring the work of Sonya Clark.
Review №9
2022-04-16Super cool fun and laidback.
Review №10
2020-09-27Its a bit small, but it is donation based and worth a visit, and its in a central location too.