Youth and Family Programs
Family programs at PAFA engage and connect parents and children with the museum's art collection through hands-on art-making activities, interactive gallery tours, and creative workshops designed for all ages. Discover PAFA's dynamic environment where families can bond, learn, and create together. Perfect for art lovers of all ages, our programs offer memorable experiences that inspire creativity and a love for art. Visit PAFA to find out more about our exciting family events and youth-focused art education opportunities today!
General support for Youth and Family Programs at PAFA is generously provided by the Connelly Foundation, the Satell Institute, the Sylvia W. and Randall M. Kauders Foundation, the Hassel Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Endowment Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation.
Family Arts Academy
FREE monthly art making workshops for kids and parents of all ages.
New Fall program will be posted in September!
Young Artist Academy
Young Artist Academy allows budding artists ages 10-14 the opportunity to explore different areas of artmaking, learn from our art collection, and develop and hone their fine art skills under the expert guidance of our professional artists and educators.
New Fall Classes will be posted in September!
Summer Art Camps
Designed for all artistic skill levels, our Summer Art Camp is where your children can expand their creativity and imagination, make new friends, create artworks, and explore PAFA's museum buildings and collection. Every week is a new artistic adventure! You can register for individual weeks or for the whole summer.
Camp serves children from 5 to 14 years old. For teens 15 and older, visit Teens and Pre-College Summer Programs.
Art Encounters for K-5
Homeschool and Cyberschool families and educators are invited to join us for interactive tours and art lessons focused on special exhibitions and themes throughout PAFA’s historic galleries! Activities facilitated by professional museum educators focus on the enhancement of academic curricula highlighting literacy, observation, critical thinking, communication, and social skill development.
Teen and Pre-College
Pre-College Programs are designed for high school students interested in developing their artistic, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills through a wide range of classes and courses. Summer Academy, One-Week Summer Intensives, Saturday Studio Art Classes, After-School Studio Arts Program, and Youth Council
Virtual Resources
Here you can find hands-on activities and short educational videos exploring PAFA collection for the whole family to enjoy.
Visitor's Guide for Families
Does the museum accommodate strollers?
Yes.
Are there family-friend restrooms?
Yes. Both of PAFA's museum buildings have family restrooms available with changing tables and space for strollers.
Can we take photographs and selfies during our visit?
Non-flash photography is permitted in PAFA's galleries. Feel free to tag us online at #pafamuseum and #pafafamily
Does the museum have tips for talking about art with my children?
PAFA encourages parents to ask questions like "What do you think is going on in this painting and what makes you say that?" to help young visitors develop their own vocabulary around art. PAFA also provides a downloadable Family Gallery Guide of some objects from the permanent collection which has activities for children to do during or before a visit to the museum. (Please note: Only pencils may be used in the galleries.)
Download the Family Gallery Guide
Are all PAFA exhibitions appropriate for my child?
Some PAFA exhibitions are geared more toward adults and PAFA's tradition of celebrating the human figure does include nudes at times. Ultimately, this is a personal preference and parents are encouraged to preview exhibitions or to contact info@pafa.org to learn more about what objects are on view.
How should my children behave in the museum galleries?
Your child should look, talk, laugh, question, play, and explore during their museum visit. We encourage active learning of all kinds, so feel free to encourage your child to act out poses from paintings, sketch with pencil and paper, tell stories and to do all of it sitting on the floor if that's where they are comfortable. We ask that you be cognizant of the experience of other visitors in a shared space and make sure there is no running or touching, but please, have fun!
Contact Us
PAFA offers programs for artists and art lovers of all ages and skill levels who want to learn about and make art.