More than 350 Philadelphia students will showcase original artwork at PAFA this summer as part of CSFP's 25th Anniversary
PHILADELPHIA – Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP), Pennsylvania’s largest and most diverse K-8th grade scholarship program, presents Fresh Perspectives: A Student Art Showcase, kicking off on June 28 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA). The exhibition runs through July 14, 2026, and will feature nearly 200 original works created by more than 350 Philadelphia students who spent the school year exploring American history, civics, and their own perspectives on the city’s past 250 years.
“As we mark both America’s 250th anniversary and CSFP’s own 25th, this exhibition is a powerful reminder of what Philadelphia’s students are capable of,” said Keisha Jordan, President and CEO of Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia. “We are proud to celebrate this milestone by giving our city’s young people the opportunity to share their voices and perspectives with all of Philadelphia and our city’s summer guests.”
The exhibition grew out of a shared vision to ensure Philadelphia’s youngest residents had a meaningful role in the city’s historic anniversary. CSFP began conversations with representatives from its 150-school partner network last spring about creating an exhibit that would put students and families front and center for the semiquincentennial celebration. Independence Mission Schools (IMS), the umbrella organization for 14 Catholic schools serving Greater Philadelphia, and Our Mother of Consolation Parish School became the founding partners for this exhibit.
“This initiative is a celebration of history, culture, community, and student voice. Guided by the creativity, expertise, and dedication of our art teachers, students will have the opportunity to explore Philadelphia’s artistic and historical legacy while developing their own unique creative expression,” said Gianna R. D’Angelo, President and CEO of Independence Mission Schools.
“This program has given our students the opportunity to think deeply about art, history, and how we can all contribute to something larger as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. This project has also helped us expand on our personal reflections of the journey we endured this first year in our new school building. This is the kind of experience that becomes a lasting school memory, helping students see themselves as artists and as part of something bigger,” said Desiree Disney, Our Mother of Consolation Parish School (OMC) Principal.
Beginning in Fall 2025, elementary students through grade eight applied their understanding of American history and civics through a Philadelphia lens, creating original artwork reflecting their own perspectives on 250 years of history – particularly as students growing up in the birthplace of America. The pieces installed at PAFA this summer are the result of that year-long effort. CSFP provided classroom supplies to all participating teachers and coordinated funding for the exhibition at PAFA.
Fresh Perspectives is made possible through the generous support of CSFP Board Chair Margaret Dinenny, the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation and the Jordan Family Equity Fund. The exhibition marks the first event partnership of its kind for CSFP, which celebrates 25 years of expanding educational opportunity for Philadelphia families in 2026. Since its founding in 2001, CSFP has awarded more than $170 million in scholarship funding to more than 30,000 students.
“Access to a high-quality education — and an arts education — opens doors for students to express themselves, think critically, and participate in the community around them,” said Margaret Dinenny, Board Chair of Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia. “The Fresh Perspectives: Student Art Showcase is a powerful example of what happens when you give students across Philadelphia an opportunity to showcase their passion and creativity while commenting on this historic moment in time.”
Following CSFP’s kick-off celebration on June 28, Fresh Perspectives: A Student Art Showcase is open to the public from June 29 through July 14, 2026 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Entrance to the exhibit is included with the price of admission.
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About CSFP
Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP) changes lives by providing scholarship funding for Philadelphia families to choose a tuition-based school that meets their student’s educational needs. It is the largest and most diverse provider of K-8th grade scholarship support in Pennsylvania, focusing on the highest-need students who would otherwise attend some of the lowest-achieving schools in the city. During the 2025-26 school year, CSFP awarded more than 6,800 scholarships for K-8th grade students enrolled in our network of 150 area tuition-based schools. CSFP scholarships are all need-based and awarded by random lottery. To learn more and support our efforts, please visit www.csfphiladelphia.org.