The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial is guided by the spirit of its founder, who first extended an invitation in 1898 for "the world to come and learn art." Samuel Fleisher's singular vision of high-quality, tuition-free art instruction continues uninterrupted at the Memorial.
Here, children from all economic and cultural backgrounds share in the commonality of the creative experience and the cultural diversity of the city. Adult artists of all levels of experience study with a distinguished faculty of working artists in diverse fine-arts mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and ceramics.
 
Fleisher's Romanesque-revival sanctuary provides an evocative, expanded musical and performance context for the understanding of time-based arts and the many meanings of culture.

The Challenge exhibition series, established in 1978, presents some of the region's best artists in a highly selective and widely respected competition.

The Fleisher Art Memorial, originally known as the Graphic Sketch Club, was founded by Samuel S. Fleisher in 1898 in the Jewish Union building that then stood at 4th and Bainbridge Streets. Mr. Fleisher supported the program directly during his lifetime, and, at his death in 1944, left his residuary estate in trust to support the operations and maintenance of the program under the administration of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Graphic Sketch Club then became the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial according to the terms of the founder's will. Offering free instruction in art to anyone interested, the Graphic Sketch Club offered opportunity for personal enrichment and professional growth to adults and children in the surrounding South Philadelphia neighborhoods and in communities throughout the city.