A Nation of Artists — Philadelphia Museum

The Philadelphia Museum of Art opened “A Nation of Artists” on April 12, 2026, as part of a two-museum exhibition timed to the nation’s 250th anniversary. The show runs at the museum’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway building through July 5, 2027, and pairs with a simultaneous presentation at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, which continues through September 5, 2027. The project brings together works from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, PAFA and the private Middleton Family Collection. Organizers said the exhibition spans more than 300 years of American art and includes more than 1,000 works across the two institutions. ### What is on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art? The Philadelphia Museum of Art said its portion of “A Nation of Artists” presents a panorama of American art from 1700 to 1964. The museum’s exhibition page says the installation is organized around themes of nation and identity and traces exchanges among Native American, African American, European and immigrant traditions. (philamuseum.org) Named artists on view at the museum include Charles Willson Peale, Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Horace Pippin and Mark Rothko, according to the museum. The press materials also cite works by Edward Hopper, Stuart Davis, Daniel Garber, John Singer Sargent and Childe Hassam among the broader presentation tied to the collaboration. ### Why are two Philadelphia museums involved? (philamuseum.org) PAFA and the Philadelphia Museum of Art announced the collaboration in a February 12, 2026 release. The institutions said they developed the exhibition with the Middleton Family Collection as a joint presentation for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The exhibition website says the project unfolds across two Philadelphia institutions and combines three collections in what organizers call a “once-in-a-generation” presentation. (philamuseum.org) Across both sites, the museums said visitors will see more than 1,000 works, including more than 120 paintings and decorative arts objects from the Middleton Family Collection. (press.philamuseum.org) ### How do tours and admission work? Visit Philadelphia said “A Nation of Artists” is included with general admission at both museums. The tourism group’s event listing says the Philadelphia Museum of Art presentation is open now through July 5, 2027, while the PAFA presentation runs through September 5, 2027. The Philadelphia Museum of Art lists a dedicated “A Nation of Artists Tour” and says space is limited to 20 participants. (philamuseum.org) The museum says the tour is first come, first served and subject to change. ### What else is planned beyond the galleries? The Philadelphia Museum of Art said in earlier press materials that “A Nation of Artists” would extend beyond the museum walls during 2026. (visitphilly.com) The museum said the public program calendar would include community murals, classes, talks by local and national artists, school tours, performances and workshops. (philamuseum.org) Visit Philadelphia has also folded the exhibition into its broader 2026 events coverage, listing it among the city’s signature programs tied to the semiquincentennial year. That listing places the museum show alongside other Philadelphia 2026 cultural events. ### Where can visitors find the practical details? The Philadelphia Museum of Art lists current hours as 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. on Friday; the museum is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. (press.philamuseum.org) The museum’s exhibitions page lists “A Nation of Artists” among current shows and links to ticketing. Visit Philadelphia’s event page directs readers to ticketing and planning information for both venues. (visitphilly.com) The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s presentation remains on view through July 5, 2027, and PAFA’s companion show remains scheduled through September 5, 2027. (visitphilly.com) (philamuseum.org)