Parkway Pals, 2024 Summer
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Across Philadelphia, too many young people are told that being creative won’t lead to success.
DesignPhiladelphia is changing that. Through our Design Education program, we bring hands-on design learning to more than 1,000 students each year. These experiences help students dream bigger, build confidence, and see creativity as a path to real opportunity.
This season, join us for Designing Futures, our end-of-year campaign celebrating creativity and opportunity in every Philadelphia classroom. We’ll be sharing inspiring stories from our students, honoring Dr. Lakita Costner, and highlighting the impact made possible by supporters like you.
When you give or attend our fundraiser, you’re helping the next generation of designers build their futures.
Help Us Keep Designing Futures.
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Donate Now. Support Creative Futures
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Attend the Designing Futures Breakfast
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At Pollock Elementary, 7th grade social studies teacher Christie Esposito witnessed firsthand how design education uplifts students voices. She recalls one student who started the program shy and withdrawn, hesitant to speak up or connect with her classmates. But week by week, something shifted. Guided by our volunteers, she began to participate, smile, and take creative risks. “This program not only helps my students come out of their shell,” Christie shared, “but allows their voice to be heard.”By the end of the program, she was leading her group with confidence.
“Mike made me laugh. I had felt a strong connection with Fran. Elizabeth helped me explore my creativity. Bonnie allowed me to be myself,” said 7th grader Christelle R. “I was able to not only be creative but they listened to me and it felt like I could voice my ideas.” For another student, the program provided not just confidence, but connection. “Last year was my first year at Pollock Elementary coming from Argentina,” shared Benjamin “It helped me socialize with my peers by building designs and made me feel comfortable. I am still learning English.” For students like Christelle and Benjamin, design became a language of belonging. It was an opportunity to communicate, collaborate, and dream.
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85% of students
believe that design
is important to society.
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Taught 901 students
in 2024-25
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Timid & English language learners
thrive in our judgment-free
design classes.
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80% of students
remain focused during
our design classes
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90% of our students say
their favorite part is
creating & building things.
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Over 85% of students
are now more aware of
various design careers
Every creative student needs an advocate, someone who sees their potential before they do, who pushes them to hone their talents and imagine new possibilities. For countless Philadelphia students, that person is Dr. Lakita Costner. An educator, artist, and visionary leader within the School District of Philadelphia, Dr. Costner has devoted her career to making design accessible and empowering young people to see creativity as a pathway to success. Through her organization, TwelveArt, she hosts paid jobs for youth, organizes art and design camps, and fosters partnerships that connect classroom learning to real-world careers. Her programs have not only opened doors but truly helps create a new generation of confident, career-ready designers.
This fall, with Dr. Costner’s leadership, DesignPhiladelphia welcomed over 50 high school students to our first-ever Student Design Tech Summit. Surrounded by professionals from across the creative industries, these students explored hands-on design demos and discovered that their CTE skills are the foundation for so many design careers. Moments like these are only possible because of advocates like Dr. Costner.
With your support, we can continue expanding opportunities for Philadelphia’s young designers. You can celebrate Dr. Costner and support our students in person at our Designing Futures Breakfast Fundraiser this Giving Tuesday, December 2nd.
This past year one of the Fellows, Wilnie Rose Papillion from TJU, is an Industrial Design student.
Your primary objective as a JADE Fellow will be to participate in opportunities that allow you to develop skills to foster a thriving, joyful, and inclusive culture for yourself and your school communities. Working closely with your cohort, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of architecture and design education.
As part of that, each Fellow develops a capstone project that advances their goals in shaping the future of design education. Here is a clip of Rose giving her capstone presentation about Imposter Syndrome?.
Parkway Pals, 2024 Summer
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Fashion Design: MADE Institute x Asian Arts Initiative, 2024 Summer
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Cristo Rey High School x Fabric Workshop, Fall 2024
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Your Dream Space, Interior Design, Spring 2024
Organic Architecture, McMichael School, Fall 2022
Clayscape, 2023 Festival
Cristo Rey High School x Fabric Workshop, Fall 2024
Parkway Pals, 2024 Summer
Vocatio Tech, Spring 2024
