Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Museum of Art
History:
The Museum began as a legacy of the great Centennial Exhibition of 1876, held in Fairmount Park. At the conclusion of the celebrations, Memorial Hall-which had been constructed as the Exhibition's art gallery-remained open as a Museum of Art and Industry "for the improvement and enjoyment of the people of the Commonwealth".
In the first few decades, the collections consisted of objects of an industrial nature, as well as fine and decorative art objects such as European ceramics. Books were also among the Museum's earliest acquisitions, as were antique furniture, enamels, carved ivories, jewelry, metalwork, glass, pottery, porcelain, textiles, and paintings.
In the early 1900s, the Museum published its first collection handbook and initiated an Education program for the general public. It wasn't long before a Membership program was in place, and plans for a new building gained momentum in the following decade.
Director Fiske Kimball set the tone for a new era in the 1920s, and the opening of the new building on Fairmount-what is now the Main Building-opened with an attendance record of one million visitors in its first year. Valiant marketing efforts and the skillful leadership of President J. Stogdell Stokes helped to keep the Museum vital during the Great Depression of the 1930s, while the 1940s witnessed extraordinary growth in the collections with a number of important gifts-including the John D. McIlhenny Collection and the George Grey Barnard Collection.
Upcoming Events at Philadelphia Museum of Art
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Exhibition - The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Recent News
Brand X Editions Archive Established at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The gift from the world-renowned print studio includes more than 350 screenprints and an exhibition is planned for 2025 The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) is thrilled to announce the establishment of the Brand X Editions Archive with a gift from…
Read More »The Philadelphia Museum of Art Announces New Curatorial Leadership
Eleanor Nairne joins as Department Head, Modern and Contemporary Art Philadelphia, PA — The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Eleanor Nairne as the Keith L. and Katherine Sachs Curator of…
Read More »Philadelphia Museum of Art Update - January 2024
Click here to View the Information About "Philadelphia Museum of Art Update - January 2024"
Read More »Philadelphia Museum of Art Welcomes Philadelphia School District Community to Fourth Annual Free Family Day
WHAT: On Thursday, December 28, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will host a free family day for the Philadelphia Public School District. This is open to families of School District public and charter schools. WHEN: Thursday, December 28, 2023. Media…
Read More »Philadelphia Museum of Art News - December 12, 2023
Holidays at the Museum Now through Jan 1 The spirit of the season is flourishing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art! Make the PMA a part of your holiday experience with our full calendar of events, family-friendly happenings, and the perfect…
Read More »Philadelphia Museum of Art News - November 1, 2023
Stephen Burks, an internationally renowned industrial designer, will be honored with Collab’s 2023 Design Excellence Award during a celebration at the museum on November 18, 2023. Burks will discuss his work at the Collab Design Excellence…
Read More »The Philadelphia Museum of Art Welcomes Two New Members to its Senior Leadership Team
Paul Dien Chief Marketing Officer Kimberly Watson Chief Development Officer Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener Director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, today announced two appointments to the senior leadership team: Paul Dien, Chief…
Read More »Philadelphia Museum of Art - The Shape of Time: Korean Art After 198
The Shape of Time: Korean Art after 1989 October 21, 2023–February 11, 2024 Through the lens of 28 Korean artists, all born between 1960 and 1986, the exhibition focuses on the rise of South Korea’s influence on a world stage and how…
Read More »The Philadelphia Museum of Art Celebrates Pride
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Celebrates Pride Visit throughout June for a series of inclusive events that honor LGBTQ+ communities, including a Queer Prom presented by GALAEI and a Queer(ing) Art audio tour To celebrate national LGBTQ+ Pride…
Read More »Vermeer - A Conversation through Time
VERMEER? A Conversation through Time LADY WITH A GUITAR ON VIEW FROM JUNE 10 Public Opportunity to See the Painting in Unrestored Condition Prior to Continued Research in Collaboration with Vermeer Experts Lady with a Guitar in the John G.…
Read More »Museum Community Celebration Offers Full Weekend Of Events Beginning Friday, June 16
Friday Night Lounge, Art Kids Family Program, Saturday Night House Party, Sunday Block Party, and More to Highlight the Frank Gehry-Designed Transformation of PMA From Friday, June 16 through Monday, June 19, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will…
Read More »The Philadelphia Museum of Art Welcomes Two New Members To its Senior Leadership Team
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Welcomes Two New Members To its Senior Leadership Team Valarie McDuffie, Chief Financial Officer, and Maggie Fairs, Vice President, Communications Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener Director and CEO of the…
Read More »Museum Receives Major Gift of Eighteen Drawings, an Early Painting, and Steel Sculpture by Ellsworth Kelly
Celebrating the centenary of Kelly’s birth, the works are offered gifts from the late artist’s husband Jack Shear and are now on view in "Ellsworth Kelly: Reflections on Water and Other Early Drawings" and "Ellsworth Kelly: Paris: New…
Read More »Philadelphia Museum of Art - Museum to Establish Brind Center for African and African Diasporic Art
Press Release Philadelphia Museum of Art to Establish Brind Center for African and African Diasporic Art Endowed by Trustee Ira Brind, the Brind Center will add two new curators, contributions to the collection, special exhibitions, programs,…
Read More »Philadelphia Museum of Art: Super Bowl LVII Kicks Off #MUSEUMBOWL23
It’s the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection versus the BBQ Capital of the World. As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl on February 12, a battle for the masterpieces will also be at play,…
Read More »The Philadelphia Museum of Art : Announces New Curatorial Leadership
The Museum Announces New Curatorial Leadership Carlos Basualdo named the Marion Boulton “Kippy” Stroud Deputy Director and Chief Curator Jessica Todd Smith, named Director of Curatorial Initiatives Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener…
Read More »