Scout Launches Sounds of Philadelphia, a Summer-Long Sound Installation On the Iconic Facade of the Village of Industry & Art
Running for the summer season, the outdoor installation on the facade of 320 S. Broad Street Activating the Avenue of the Arts with music written, recorded, and inspired by Philadelphia in partnership with the Philadelphia Music Alliance and fabricated by Tim Gleeson
July 1 - September 22, 2026
11am - 1pm daily
June 29, 2026 (Philadelphia, PA) — Scout, the Philadelphia-based design and development practice behind the Village of Industry & Art (VIA), announces Sounds of Philadelphia, a summer-long outdoor sound installation on the facade of the project at 320 South Broad Street. Launching on the first day of July, and running until the last day of summer, September 22, the activation brings monumental sculptural speakers to the facade of the historic building, activating with a playlist of music written, recorded, or inspired by Philadelphia for two hours each day.
A public, free, and democratic gesture on the Avenue of the Arts — which is home to many of the city's iconic performance venues including the Kimmel Center and the Wilma Theater — this project is conceived to bring the joy and inspiration of Philadelphia culture onto the streets and out into the open. Produced in partnership with the Philadelphia Music Alliance, who curated the playlist, and fabricator Tim Gleeson, who produced the sculptural speakers, the installation fills the front steps, sidewalk, and street-level plaza of 320 S. Broad Street with the sounds of Philadelphia: soul, hip-hop, jazz, punk, indie, and beyond.
For two hours in the middle of each day, the building's facade becomes a speaker, a venue, and an open invitation to gather. People are welcome to come sit on the steps, linger on the sidewalk, and simply listen.
"What I love about Philadelphia is that connecting with strangers over culture and expression are so much a part of the rhythm of daily life — you're walking down the street and someone's dancing, someone's singing, people are just in it together," said Lindsey Scannapieco, Managing Partner at Scout. "That happens across every neighborhood, every community, every genre — and in many ways, across every creative discipline. That's the Philadelphia we wanted to bring to the front steps of VIA — a building full of the people who make that culture possible, the presenters, advocates, and producers working every day to keep it alive."
Sounds of Philadelphia is created in collaboration with local fabricators and partners whose work is the backbone of Philadelphia’s industry of art — the makers, builders, and organizers who often work behind the scenes and without enough recognition. [Fabricator name], who produced the monumental sculptural speakers mounted to the building's facade, and the Philadelphia Music Alliance, which has championed the city's musical legacy and working musicians for decades, are the partners at the heart of the project.
"The Philadelphia Music Alliance has spent nearly four decades honoring the artists who made Philadelphia one of the world's most influential music cities. Now, we're thrilled that their music will become part of the everyday experience along the Avenue of the Arts," said Kerri Park Lennon, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Music Alliance. "Sounds of Philadelphia turns our Walk of Fame into more than a place to reflect on our musical history, it fills the street with the voices, rhythms, and songs that define our city. It's a powerful celebration of Philly's legacy and a reminder that our music is vibrant, inspiring, and continues to connect people every single day."
Sounds of Philadelphia is one in a series of public activations at VIA, Scout's adaptive reuse of the former University of the Arts buildings on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. The Village of Industry & Art spans over 110,000 square feet across two historic buildings and is home to a growing community of artists, makers, and mission-driven organizations including BlackStar Projects, Monument Lab, DesignPhiladelphia, and the Stained Glass Project.
About the Philadelphia Music Alliance
Established in 1986, the Philadelphia Music Alliance is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting Philadelphia's rich musical legacy — increasing awareness of the city's great musical tradition while supporting the current music scene. The Alliance is best known for the Walk of Fame, a series of over 175 bronze commemorative plaques along the Avenue of the Arts honoring Philadelphia musicians, music professionals, and radio DJs who have shaped the world of music. Through education programs, institutional partnerships, and ongoing community investment, the Philadelphia Music Alliance works to ensure that Philadelphia's contributions to American music continue for generations to come.
About the Village of Industry & Art
The Village of Industry & Art (VIA) is a new creative campus at 320 S. Broad Street, occupying an entire city block on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. Developed by Scout through the adaptive reuse of two iconic historic buildings — formerly Hamilton and Furness Halls of the University of the Arts — VIA spans over 110,000 square feet of working studios, galleries, courtyards, and gathering spaces, built around a single belief: that artists and cultural organizations belong at the center of city life. Not a finished product but an evolving community and an open invitation, VIA is home to a growing network of artists, makers, and mission-driven organizations including BlackStar Projects, Monument Lab, DesignPhiladelphia, and the Stained Glass Project.
About Scout
Scout is a design and development firm nationally recognized for transforming historic, underutilized buildings into vibrant, community-centered hubs. Founded in London in 2011 by Lindsey Scannapieco and headquartered in Philadelphia, Scout leads the design process and remains a long-term steward of its properties — cultivating ecosystems of artists, entrepreneurs, and neighborhood partners. Scout is a nationally certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE).
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