The Academy of Fine Arts of Philadelphia (PAFA) is the oldest art educational institution that simultaneously acts as an art museum. The collection consists of American paintings, sculptures and graphics of the 19th–20th centuries. Since 2025, the organization has been issuing bachelor's degrees only in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania.
History of creation
Scientist and artist Charles, along with sculptor William Rush and patrons, founded the institution in 1805. At first, the Academy of Fine Arts of Philadelphia (PAFA) operated at the intersection of Chestnut and 10th Streets in the central Philadelphia area, the building was designed by John Dorsey. In 1811, the first exhibition was held, where visitors saw 500 works of art in various genres. In the 1840s, a fire broke out, and the building had to be reconstructed, led by architect Richard Artington Gilpin.
It had to be demolished due to damage caused by a hurricane in 1870. After that, the Academy of Fine Arts of Philadelphia (PAFA) began to raise funds to open another building and continue to hold exhibitions. In 1876, PAFA moved into a 2-story building designed by Frank Furness and George Huth. It was added to the list of National Historical Monuments of the country. In 2002, the institution bought the neighboring buildings on Broad Street. After the renovation, full-fledged classrooms were opened here, as well as the Fisher Brooks Gallery and a souvenir shop.
Short description
There is a rich collection of American paintings, sculptures and works in paper form, preserved from 1760 to the present day. Among them are works by William Merritt, Winslow Homer, Cecilia Bo, Thomas Eakins and others. In addition, the archives of the Academy of Fine Arts of Philadelphia (PAFA) have preserved documents for the study of art history. In 2005, the Center received the National Medal of Arts, which is the highest award in this field.
Previously, the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) implemented bachelor's and Master's degree programs in the field of fine arts. But now the bachelor's degree is awarded only jointly with the University of Pennsylvania. Graduates of the academy include David Lynch, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, and William Glackens.
How to get
The Academy of Fine Arts of Philadelphia (PAFA) is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00-17:00, on weekends from 11:00-17:00. The schedule may change, it is recommended to study the work schedule when planning a visit to the facility.
Buses traveling along routes 4.16 and 27 pass near the landmark. If you take the subway, you need to get off at the Race Vine Station, which is located on the SEPTA Metro B line. Alternatively, you can consider taking a taxi or a rented car.
Gallery
