The Parliament Arts Organization

The Parliament Arts Organization's (PAO) mission is to inspire innovation, collaboration and creativity through the arts, positively impacting the local economy and building a sustainable creative community in York County.

We are a team of visionaries, creatives, and developers looking to promote artists and other creatives in our community to develop and expand their businesses.

Once a simple residential area, the stretch of 100 East King Street has since become an energetic haven of innovation and talent in York City thanks to the efforts of The Parliament Arts Organization.

​The Parliament was established to showcase the craftsmanship and potential of local artists who have difficulties finding opportunities to do so elsewhere. With support from friends, family, and community, the former residents of a townhome on East King Street converted their home into a shared space to form The Parliament, a non-profit arts collective.​

Within a year, droves of patrons began to frequent the space, bringing with them excitement and new life to a once struggling part of the city. The Parliament quickly became York’s advocate for talented and overlooked creative professionals.​

The Parliament’s success allowed other storefronts and businesses to open in the neighborhood, from studios to galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and 15+ hand-painted murals on the surrounding buildings.

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Cultural Arts Alliance Match

Who We Are

In 2010, the tenants of 116 East King Street had the idea to turn their townhouse into a community art space. In just one year, The Parliament Arts Organization’s art shows began to draw the masses, filling the block with excitement and energy. The Parliament Arts Organization quickly became York’s advocate for talented, yet overlooked, creative professionals. Energy had filled the block, and vacant offices and storefronts on the 100 block of E. King Street rapidly transformed into artists’ studios, galleries and boutiques. The Parliament continues producing successful programs and events in The Royal Square District.

We need your help - The Parliament is kept alive by private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. No amount is too small! We have some big plans planned for this community, and without you they cannot happen.