The Philadelphia Museum of Art—in partnership with the city, the region, and art museums around the globe—seeks to preserve, enhance, interpret, and extend the reach of its great collections in particular, and the visual arts in general, to an increasing and increasingly diverse audience as a source of delight, illumination, and lifelong learning.

The  Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the country’s oldest art museums and has long been recognized as one of its finest. Our collection of more than 200,000 objects reflects our unique history and the passions of generations of Philadelphia collectors and curators. Through innovative exhibitions and programs, the museum has stayed true to its roots as a teaching institution and to the belief that the arts can positively transform society. Discover key moments, exhibitions, and artworks that made the museum what it is today.