Founded in 1805 as the first school and museum of fine arts in the United States, PAFA is a National Medal of Arts recipient that celebrates the transformative power of American art and art-making through its collections, exhibitions, and education programs.
Visitors to the newly-opened Rhoden Arts Center will encounter seven works by the late sculptor John Rhoden. PAFA acquired the estate of Rhoden, which includes more than 275 works by the African American sculptor. The works on view in the Arts Center serve as a precursor to the Rhoden exhibition…
The BFA program at PAFA may be a traditional fine arts curriculum but for student Raven Squire '20, she's been able to combine those foundational skills with her contemporary interests. Whether it's working on her podcast or collaging photographs, Squire has been trying out as many new types of…
PAFA is pleased to announce that 12 recipients have received funding for their work through the Fine Arts Venture Fund (FAVF). The fund was established in 2014 to support students' artistic goals and encourage their developing professional practices. This year, the FAVF awarded over $24,000 to 12…
The first annual exhibition of the Philadelphia Society of Etchers was held at PAFA in 1882 and at the time was the largest print exhibition organized in the United States. The exhibition helped establish the Etching Revival in the United States in the late 1800s. Several of those etchings return to…
Natalie Klett '19 rebelled against her artist family by studying geology. But the idea of a desk job gave Klett pause. Pursuing an MFA seemed out of the question for her, until a family member suggested she give a post-baccalaureate program a try to build up her portfolio. Klett chose PAFA because…
After getting a BFA, Joe Rodriguez '19 moved into a career in medicine, All the while keeping up his personal practice. But long days in a hospital don't leave much time for the studio, so Rodriguez decided to devote himself full-time to his artwork. He came to PAFA’s MFA program expecting to work…
PAFA is pleased to announce the opening of "Intimate Immensity," on view February 15–April 7, 2019, in the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building. Curated by PAFA faculty member Alexis Granwell, "Intimate Immensity" pairs contemporary sculptors with selections from the Brodsky Center and rarely-shown works…
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is pleased to announce that Philadelphia philanthropist and longtime PAFA supporter Marguerite Lenfest will be the honoree at the 118th Annual Student Exhibition (ASE) Preview Party. Marguerite and her late husband, H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest, have been…
During a museum trip to see an exhibit of dinosaur and fossil illustrations, Drawing student Gillian Cavoto '19 realized she could perhaps make a career out of her love or art and science. Cavoto now spends time at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University as a visiting artist where she…
Headline after headline, the news of the day left an impact on Painting student Bethann Parker '19. She started painting issues of The New York Times in November of 2017 and soon realized she wanted to dedicate an entire year to exploring her perception of current events. With the help of PAFA’s…
Though many learn that American landscape painting begins with the Hudson River School, looking back a little further reveals that Philadelphia—and PAFA—is at the heart of this tradition. Coming to PAFA this June, "From the Schuylkill to the Hudson: Landscapes of the Early American Republic," tells…
In 2018 PAFA added over 500 historic, modern and contemporary works to its permanent collection of American art. The newest acquisitions and gifts—many of them by women, artists of color, and artists not frequently seen in museums—include works by painter Joan Brown, a mixed media installation by…
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at visitorservices@pafa.org — we’d love to help!
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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.
