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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) announced today that it purchased American artist Frederic Edwin Church's masterful oil painting, "Valley of Santa Isabel, New Granada" (1875). Church is arguably an integral part of American art history and this will be the first work by the artist…
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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) invites you to explore the idea of space and unique spaces in "Infinite Spaces: Rediscovering PAFA's Permanent Collection," opening June 30th. "Infinite Spaces" brings together more than 100 new acquisitions and rarely seen gems from PAFA's historic…
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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of its most prestigious travel awards and museum purchase prizes. Over $170,000 in scholarships and awards are given out to students each year, including travel scholarships, exhibition nominations, and…
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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is pleased to showcase the work of artists Didier William and Nestor Armando Gil/Taller Workshop in the exhibition "SWARM.," which opens June 30th. Viewers will encounter more than 30 works in a variety of media in which William and Gil reveal their…
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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is pleased to announce that Aubrey Brown, a graduating Illustration student in the Certificate program, is the recipient of this year’s Anne Bryan Memorial Award. The Anne Bryan Memorial Award is named for Anne Bryan, a PAFA student who died in the…
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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is pleased to announce three new members to its Board of Trustees. PAFA Board Chair Kevin F. Donohoe said, “We are delighted to welcome these three exceptional individuals to the Board. The expertise, enthusiasm, and energy they bring to the table…
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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) will hold its 213th Commencement exercises on Friday, May 11 at 3 p.m. in the Historic Landmark Building, 118 North Broad Street, Philadelphia. PAFA will recognize 87 students in its undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs. Nick Cave…
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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) presents its 117th Annual Student Exhibition, May 11 - June 3, 2018 at 128 North Broad Street, Philadelphia. The exhibition opens to the public with a reception on May 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. An academic capstone and the longest-standing exhibition…
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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brittany Webb as Curator of the John Rhoden Collection. In January 2018, the Academy took over responsibility for more than 275 works by African American sculptor John Rhoden. Ms. Webb will join the staff at…
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PAFA announces the addition of 20 historic, modern, and contemporary works to its permanent collection of American art. The new acquisitions include works on paper, sculpture and photography, half of which are works by women, artists of color, and underrepresented artists. Works by Abelardo Morell…
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PAFA announces the addition of more than 40 historic, modern, and contemporary works to its permanent collection of American art. Works by Dawoud Bey, Mary Cassatt, Eldzier Cortor, Sam Gilliam, Joyce Kozloff, the Guerilla Girls, Rina Banerjee and Martin Puryear are included.
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As museums and art schools deal with the fall out over sexual harassment allegations brought against Chuck Close, PAFA responds to the discussion with an interactive show
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About PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the United States’ first school and museum of fine arts. A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, PAFA offers a world-class collection of American art, innovative exhibitions of historic and contemporary American art, and educational opportunities in the fine arts. The PAFA Museum aims to tell America's diverse story through art, expanding who has been included in the canon of art history through its collections, exhibitions, and public programs, while classes educate artists and appreciators with a deep understanding of traditions and the ability to challenge conventions. PAFA’s esteemed alumni include Mary Cassatt, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner.