A Nation of Artists
Apr 12, 2026 – Jul 5, 2027
Highlighting the richness and diversity of American art, "A Nation of Artists" will trace the evolving story of American creativity across three centuries, featuring works of art from the Philadelphia Museum of Art collected over the past 150 years and the Middleton Family Collection, one of the country’s most significant private holdings of American art. Presented chronologically around distinctive themes, the exhibition explores art making of all types, from ceramics to wood carving and painting to fashion, and includes works by Indigenous, African American, and historically underrepresented artists who have shaped the nation’s visual culture. The exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art will collaborate with a simultaneous presentation at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ Historic Landmark Building in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Across the two museums, "A Nation of Artists" will feature more than 1,000 works, including more than 120 iconic paintings and decorative arts from the Middleton Family Collection. Together, these works will offer fresh perspectives on the evolving story of American art and experience.
- Japan at the World's FairsJul 25, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026
- Workshop of the World: Arts & Crafts in PhiladelphiaMultiple artists, past and present, including works by Roberto Lugo, Mark Burns, Syd Carpenter, Samuel Yellin, and Judith Schaechter.Jul 23, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026
- Marcel DuchampMarcel DuchampOct 10, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
- Sketching in the GalleriesFri, Aug 7
Sketch in the galleries with us every Friday & Saturday! Each session meets in a different gallery and focuses on a specific work theme from the museum's collection. Materials provided and participants enjoy a 10% discount on art supplies from the museum store. The Baroque Masters | Gallery 358 | August 7, noon–1:30 p.m. & August 8, 10:30 a.m.–noon Sketch from the masterful art of Baroque painters such as Peter Paul Rubens, Luca Giordano, and Domenico Fetti.
- Author Talk: Patrick Bringley on "All the Beauty in the World"Thu, Sep 24
Patrick Bringley tells the story of his decade working as a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as recounted in his New York Times bestselling memoir, All the Beauty in the World. Blending personal reflections on art and grief with insights on the inner workings of the Met, Patrick's talk explores the role of great museums—including the Philadelphia Museum of Art (with which he shares a special bond). His presentation will be followed by a conversation with Daniel Weiss, the George D. Widener Director and CEO at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. All the Beauty in the World won the 2023 Marfield Prize for outstanding writing about the arts and was named a best book of the year by institutions including the New York Public Library and NPR. Copies of All the Beauty in the World will be available for purchase and signing by the author following the talk.