PAEP was incorporated in 1996 with initial involvement of 25 local arts and cultural institutions. The intent of this group grew out of its need to coordinate efforts in the design and delivery of arts education programs offered to schools and community sites in southeastern PA.
Since then, PAEP has grown as an independent organization working with school districts, community sites and more than 90 leading arts institutions from the five-county Philadelphia area to create a unified, regional resource supporting, designing, and delivering arts in education activity. PAEP is a 501(c)(3) organization.