Next year, we’ll celebrate PAFA’s 220th Anniversary, ahead of the nation’s sesquicentennial in 2026. While PAFA’s not quite as old as the United States, it has played a significant role in the country’s artistic and cultural development since its founding in 1805. As the first museum and art school in the nation, PAFA has been integral to Philadelphia's early contributions to America's history, and will commemorate this milestone in 2025.

Celebrating 220 Years of Art and Education

PAFA has amassed a significant collection of American art, including works by celebrated artists like Mary Cassatt, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner. The museum's Historic Landmark Building, designed by Frank Furness and George W. Hewitt in 1876, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. Today, PAFA continues to showcase both historical and contemporary works, with a focus on American art from the 1760s to the present, including annual student exhibitions.
 

Njideka Akunyili Crosby (b. 1983), I Always Face You, Even When it Seems Otherwise, 2012. Acrylic, pastel, charcoal, colored pencil, collage and Xerox transfers on paper, 2 panels, each: 78 x 78 in. (198.12 x 198.12 cm), 2012.29a&b. Museum Purchase  © artist or artist’s estate.

PAFA’s legacy is deeply intertwined with its founders and its leading role in American art education. The institution has not only profoundly influenced the artists it has trained, but its proximity to the founding of the nation and its distinctive approach to art education make it an integral player in the story of American history.
 

“The Subscribers, Citizens of Pennsylvania, having associated for the object and purposes herein-aftermentioned, and under the name conditions and articles following, are desirous to acquire and enjoy the power and immunities of a Corporation or body politic in Law, agreeably to the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided.

The object of this association is to promote the cultivation of the Fine Arts, in the United States of America, by introducing correct and elegant Copies, from works of the first Masters, in Sculpture and Painting, and, by thus facilitating the access to such Standards, and also by occasionally conferring moderate but honorable premiums, and otherwise assisting the Studies and exciting the efforts of the artists, gradually to unfold, enlighten and invigorate the talents of our Countrymen.

The name of this Association shall be The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.”

Articles of Association, Dec. 26, 1805, of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
https://pafaarchives.org/s/digital/page/founding 

(Left) William Rush, Self-Portrait, ca.1822. Terracotta, 15 1/2 x 18 x 11 in., 1849.1. No known copyright restrictions; (Right) 
Charles Willson Peale, Self-Portrait in the Character of a Painter, 1824. Oil on canvas, 26 1/4 x 22 1/8 in., #1845.5. Gift of the artist (probably in 1824). No known copyright restrictions.
 
PAFA was founded in 1805 by a group of visionaries dedicated to advancing art and culture in the United States. Among its founders were Charles Willson Peale, a renowned portrait artist and naturalist; William Rush, often regarded as the first major American sculptor; and other prominent Philadelphians, including artists, businessmen, and civic leaders. Together, they envisioned an institution that would promote the fine arts and help shape the cultural identity of a young nation.

However, like many of their contemporaries, some founders, including Peale, enslaved individuals and participated in systems that oppressed Black people. While their achievements in establishing PAFA and fostering American art are significant, it is crucial to critically examine these complexities. Acknowledging these realities allows for a fuller understanding of PAFA's history and contributes to ongoing conversations about social justice, inclusion, and accountability in the arts.
 

(Left) "Installation Photograph of Gallery F, Facing Southwest, at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1893." Photograph of installation in Gallery F, looking southwest, at the 1893 Annual Exhibition, mounted on board. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts' Dorothy and Kenneth Woodcock Archives. PC0104_1893_008. 1893; (Center) "Installation Photograph of the Rotunda, Facing East, at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1943." Photograph of installation in the Rotunda, looking east, at the 1943 Annual Exhibition. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts' Dorothy and Kenneth Woodcock Archives. PC0104_1943_001. 1943; (Right) "Installation Photograph of Gallery C at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1958." Photograph of installation in Gallery C at the 1958 Annual Exhibition. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts' Dorothy and Kenneth Woodcock Archives. PC0104_1958_005. 1958.
 

Shaping American Art and Culture

Since its founding, PAFA has amassed an extensive collection of American art, including works by its alumni, faculty, and major American artists. The institution's legacy is enriched by its annual exhibitions from 1811 to 1969, which contributed to key acquisitions, with significant contributions from artists like Cecilia Beaux, William Merritt Chase, and Childe Hassam, as well as from "The Eight," a group that bridged 19th- and 20th-century movements. As both a museum and school, PAFA fosters talent and cultivates a space for contemporary artists to innovate.

(Left) Childe Hassam (1859-1935), Cat Boats, Newport, 1901. Oil on canvas, 24 1/8 x 26 1/8 in. (61.3 x 66.4 cm), 1902.2. Joseph E. Temple Fund.; (Center) William Merritt Chase (1849-1916),  "Keying Up" - The Court Jester, 1875. Oil on canvas, 39 3/4 x 25 in. (101.0 x 63.5 cm), 1969.37. Gift of the Chapellier Galleries; (Right) Cecilia Beaux  (1855-1942), Head of a French Peasant Woman, late 19th century. Oil on cardboard, 16 1/16 x 12 7/8 in. (40.8 x 32.7 cm), 1950.17.14. Gift of Henry Sandwith Drinker.

PAFA’s future continues its legacy of promoting diverse and evolving art forms, supporting marginalized communities, and championing artists from underrepresented backgrounds. By reflecting on the past, particularly the legacies of figures like Charles Willson Peale, we open an honest dialogue about our history and its relevance in today’s cultural landscape. As we commemorate Founding Day, we honor PAFA for its role as a leader in art education and museum practices, and invite you to participate in shaping its ongoing impact on American art and culture.

(Far left) Severin Roesen's "Still Life with Fruit," Louise Nevelson's "South Floral," William Michael Harnett's "Still Life," and Mary Smith's "Picking Cherries" in Making American Artists: Stories from PAFA, 1776–1976 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, October 28, 2021–April 3, 2022. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia. Photography by Adrian Cubillas; (2nd from the left) Eamon Ore-Giron's "Exit Strategy," Dyani White Hawk's "She Gives (Quiet Strength VII)", and Hung Liu's "Visage II," in Evade or Ensnare at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, September 22, 2022–December 31, 2022. Photography by Adrian Cubillas, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia.; (2nd from the right) Assorted works by Chitra Ganesh, assorted works by Trenton Doyle Hancock, and "Scribe" series by William Kentridge in Out of Body at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. September 16, 2021–January 2, 2021. Photo by Adrian Cubillas, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia. (Far right) Alison Saar's "Hygiea" in Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, March 23, 2023–October 8, 2023 in the Historic Landmark Building. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia. Photography by Ryan Brandenberg.