Philadelphia Museum of Art

About the Museum

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an iconic cultural institution and architectural landmark located at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Founded in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition, the museum opened its main building in 1928.

Housed in a majestic Greek Revival building, the museum's vast collections include over 240,000 objects spanning world-class holdings of European, American, and Asian origin. The museum is also famous for the "Rocky Steps" featured in the iconic film.

Through its exceptional collections, special exhibitions, and enriching programs, the Museum strives to inspire the public by making its outstanding collections of art accessible to the broadest possible audience.

Museum Highlights

240,000+ Objects

Spanning 2,000 years of artistic achievement from around the world.

Architectural Marvel

An iconic building featuring the famous "Rocky Steps" and magnificent galleries.

Special Exhibitions

Regularly changing exhibitions showcasing masterpieces from around the globe.

Educational Programs

Engaging tours, lectures, and workshops for visitors of all ages.

Collections

European Painting

Masterpieces from the Renaissance to the 19th century, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir.

14th-19th Century Gallery 100-150

Medieval Art

Sacred objects, illuminated manuscripts, and architectural elements from the Middle Ages.

5th-15th Century Gallery 200-220

Decorative Arts

European furniture, ceramics, silver, and glass from the Renaissance to the modern era.

15th-20th Century Gallery 250-280

The American Art collection features paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts that tell the story of America's artistic heritage from the colonial period to the mid-20th century.

Highlights include works by Pennsylvania-born artists such as Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt, and Charles Willson Peale, as well as important examples of American furniture, silver, and ceramics.

The Asian Art collection encompasses artistic traditions from China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia, with particularly strong holdings in Chinese painting and Japanese screens.

Notable works include a Chinese palace hall, Japanese tea house, and one of the finest collections of Indian sculpture in the United States.

The Contemporary Art collection features groundbreaking works from 1950 to the present, including pieces by Cy Twombly, Jasper Johns, and Louise Bourgeois.

The museum continues to acquire works by emerging and established contemporary artists, ensuring its collections remain vital and relevant.

Plan Your Visit

Hours of Operation

Monday	Closed
Tuesday - Thursday	10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday	10:00 AM - 8:45 PM
Saturday - Sunday	10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Admission

Adults: $25
Seniors (65+): $23
Students (with ID): $14
Youth (18 & under): Free
Members: Free

Pay What You Wish on the first Sunday of the month and every Friday evening (5:00-8:45 PM)

[Museum Map]

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Upcoming Events

OCT 15

Artist Talk: Contemporary Perspectives

Join featured artists from our new contemporary exhibition for an intimate discussion about their creative process.

2:00 PM Auditorium

OCT 22

Family Day: Art of Asia

Hands-on activities, performances, and gallery explorations for families with children of all ages.

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Great Stair Hall

NOV 5

Curator Tour: American Modernism

An in-depth tour of our American Modernism galleries led by the exhibition curator.

11:00 AM Meet at Information Desk

Art Inspires Life