Learn more with this project!
Travel Kit: Camera or pencil and sketchbook
Your Destination: Philadelphia is a cultural powerhouse when it comes to art, blending world-class institutions with vibrant public spaces. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest and most renowned art museums in the country, known for its vast collection spanning centuries and continents—from Renaissance masters to contemporary installations. Just outside, the “Rocky Steps” and the famous Rocky statue draw both film fans and art lovers.
Beyond the museum, Philadelphia boasts a thriving gallery scene, especially in neighborhoods like Old City and Fishtown, where emerging and established artists exhibit cutting-edge work. Sculptures, mosaics, murals and street art dot the urban landscape, making art accessible to everyone, not just inside museum walls.
On the Path: Find artwork that speaks to you and learn more about it.
Step 1: Visit a gallery, museum, or observe public art, focusing on color, texture, and storytelling. Virtually tour Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic masterpiece Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, which includes outdoor spaces and murals or go on a walking tour of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s murals.
Step 2: After the visit, choose one piece that inspires you and create your own artwork based on it.
Group Tour: Share your creations and explain how your museum experience influenced your artistic choices on social media at #ArtSphereInc!
Extend the Journey: Research other places to visit art in Philadelphia. Go on a walking tour of public monuments. Look for historic markers
Vocabulary: Contemporary installations, murals, mosaics, street art
Resources and Visual Aids: (And more great Philadelphia art places to visit)
One of the largest and most renowned art museums in the world, housing an extensive collection of art from various cultures and time periods.
Home to one of the finest collections of works by French sculptor Auguste Rodin.
Renowned for its exceptional collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modernist artworks, the Barnes Foundation provides a distinctive educational approach to art appreciation.
As America’s first art school and museum, PAFA celebrates the transformative power of art through its world-class museum and school, nurturing artists at every career stage.
More places to visit
- Philadelphia Public Art Map: The Association for Public Art has an interactive map that can be used to find public art installations throughout Philadelphia.
- Asian Arts Initiative: A cultural hub that highlights the art and voices of Asian communities, offering exhibitions, performances, and programs that foster collaboration and engagement.
- Bok Building: (South Philadelphia) A vibrant space for artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives, housing a wide variety of studio spaces, galleries, and businesses.
- Center for Art in Wood: Dedicated to the exploration of wood as an art medium, this center showcases innovative works and offers educational programs related to wood art.
- Clay Studio: A dynamic center for ceramic arts, The Clay Studio supports artists and engages the community through exhibitions, classes, and workshops focused on contemporary ceramics.
- Crane Arts: A vibrant venue for contemporary art exhibitions, performances, and community events.
- Da Vinci Art Alliance: An intergenerational community space and art gallery that supports and connects people through equitable opportunities and free creative programming.
- Fleisher/Ollman Gallery: This gallery presents contemporary art with a focus on thought-provoking work that engages with political and social issues.
- Freelibrary.org: The Free Library of Philadelphia hosts rotating art exhibitions, showcasing local and international artists and offers tours of the grand Beaux-Arts building of Parkway Central Library.
- InLiquid: A nonprofit organization that connects artists with opportunities to showcase and sell their work.
- Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA): Affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, the ICA is dedicated to presenting contemporary art in all media, offering dynamic exhibitions and programs.
- La Salle University Art Museum: This museum offers a diverse collection of fine art, including European and American paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, along with rotating exhibits that explore contemporary themes and artists.
- Lightbox Film Center: A space dedicated to screening films that support artistic innovation and creative dialogue.
- Locks Gallery: A contemporary art gallery with a focus on supporting and promoting artists through exhibitions and installations.
- Marginal Utility: This nonprofit art space features new works by emerging and experimental artists, often with a focus on collaboration and community engagement.
- Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO: This is an interactive program for Philadelphia’s public art. Listen to stories told by people from all walks of life who are directly connected to the sculptures. Use the interactive map and gallery to plan your next outing.
- Old City Jewish Art Center: A non-profit organization supporting the work of contemporary artists and arts programming.
- The Dream Garden: The Dream Garden is a beautiful mosaic made of hundreds of thousands of iridescent glass pieces. It was the only collaboration between painter Maxfield Frederich Parrish and glass master Louis Comfort Tiffany.
- The Galleries at Moore: A contemporary art space that showcases emerging artists and offers exhibitions, programs, and events for students and the public.
- Pentimenti: An art gallery dedicated to showcasing contemporary artwork with an emphasis on diverse visual expressions.
- Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens: An immersive art environment created by Isaiah Zagar, featuring mosaics and sculptures that transform a South Street block into a vibrant public art space.
- Philadelphia Open Studio Tours: POST is Philadelphia’s largest tour of artist studios and creative workspaces, featuring over 180 artists working in various visual media such as painting, drawing, ceramics, mixed media, photography, and metalworking. The event includes hands-on workshops, gallery exhibitions, live demonstrations, artist talks, and special receptions and is managed by the Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA).
- Temple Contemporary: A space dedicated to creative work that engages with the social function of art, addressing both local and global issues.
- TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image: A contemporary art platform that focuses on the intersection of visual arts and digital media.
- The China Gate: The symbolic entrance for Philadelphia’s Chinatown.
- The Woodmere Art Museum: (Chestnut Hill) Woodmere presents a collection of American art, with a focus on artists connected to the Philadelphia region, and offers engaging community programs.
- Vox Populi: An artist collective/contemporary art space in Philadelphia that supports experimental work and critical artistic dialogue.