A Nation of Artists: An Inside Look at Philly’s Stunning New Dual-Museum Exhibition

Last updated on April 17, 2026 by Jovan Ellis

Overview

Art is for everyone.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) explore what that means with A Nation of Artists, a landmark exhibition in 2026 and 2027 that celebrates the history and evolution of American art with one of the largest collections of American art in the world.

Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists join classic established icons in a new dual-museum experience that completes the story of American art, broadened by the support of the private 120-piece Middleton Family Collection — on public display for the first time.

Despite shared explorations of prosperity, abundance and inequity, both museums offer vastly different — and equally worthwhile — experiences, with the PMA’s collection displayed chronologically and PAFA’s thematically. No matter which museum you start with, A Nation of Artists is an exhibition meant to be savored.

Can’t decide which museum to see first? Purchase a full-price ticket to either PAFA or the PMA and get 50% off admission to the second museum (valid within seven days). A Nation of Artists is included with general admission at both museum.

A Nation of Artists is a cultural milestone spotlighting the nation’s creative and artistic legacy. The exhibition is open now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (through July 5, 2027) and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (through September 5, 2027).

Fast facts

• One of the largest collections of American art ever, with over 1,000 paintings, sculptures and other masterpieces — including rare and never-before-shown works
• Features 120 works directly from the family collection of Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton and his wife Leigh
• Two distinct but connected experiences across two museums: the PMA’s collection is chronological and PAFA’s is thematic
• Buy a ticket to one museum, and you can get a ticket to the second museum for 50% off
• A must-see for national and international visitors, art aficionados, sports and lifestyle enthusiasts, and locals interested in exploring one of the most important collections of art ever compiled in their own backyard.

What can I expect at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA)?

A Nation of Artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a walk through time.

Here, the exhibition focuses on American art from 1700 to 1960, arranged chronologically across eras to create a visual evolution of art and culture in an ever-changing nation.

  — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Begin in the early American galleries, exploring the nation’s artistic roots through paintings, decorative arts and more, before continuing to the renovated second-floor galleries, showcasing works from 1840 to 1960 — and how art evolved across time.

Weave through the halls and allow yourself to get lost in the works of artists — some classic, some contemporary — like Georgia O’Keeffe, John Singer Sargent, Thomas Eakins, Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock, along with lesser-heard voices like Lenape artist Laura Watters and an enslaved potter from 1859 known only by the name David Drake.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art celebrates its 150th birthday in 2026, with A Nation of Artists installed across all 12,000 square feet of its recently renovated American galleries. It’s the first time since 2017 that every gallery at the PMA is open at once.

2. I’ve Been to the Mountaintop

The collection features moments and figures throughout Black history, with artworks celebrating history-makers like Martin Luther King Jr. and Ray Charles.

The vitality of Beauford Delaney’s Portrait of James Baldwin (1945) shines on the canvas, while William J. Glackens’ Bal Martinique (1928-1929) depicts a fictional French club where Black and white patrons danced in harmony, despite a segregated world.

  — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

What can I expect at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)?

A Nation of Artists at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts spans 12 cross-generational galleries that transcend history.

Here, the nation’s first art museum and school organizes its collection thematically, with a focus on the development of American artists.

  — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Works adorn the walls by formative early American artists like Benjamin West, William Rush, Jasper Johns and Henry Ossawa Tanner, right alongside modern and contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol, Kara Walker, Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith.

Wander the vast curated galleries, gaze down the long hallways and dramatic corridors, and discover the relationships between exhibits that reflect wealth, labor, spirituality, nature, industry and westward expansion.

The debut of A Nation of Artists also marks the long-awaited reopening of PAFA’s Historic Landmark Building, featuring a complete reinstallation of the museum’s permanent collection alongside works from the Middleton Family Collection — and over 200 artists in total.

Five Must-See Highlights at PAFA

1. Seasons Greetings

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ galleries can be viewed in any order, but you can get a playful start in its second-floor nature gallery, featuring exhibits titled Follow the River, Picturing Pink Skies and A Winter Encounter, with the latter featuring Minerva Cuevas’ canvas-defying The End (2016) right next to Winslow Homer’s Fox Hunt (1893) — arguably one of the collection’s most famous pieces.

What events and programs can I attend during the exhibition?

During A Nation of Artists, the PMA and PAFA have curated a robust series of programs — offered jointly and separately — that include film screenings, lectures, festivals, walking tours, hands-on educational seminars and so much more.

Events include:

• free, family-friendly art festivals with hands-on activities
• guided citywide walking tours exploring the intersection of art and culture
• live performances that celebrate the American art and artists in the joint exhibition
• hands-on professional development programs, and
• lectures that bring together scholars, artists and other creative professionals to discuss art, identity and legacy.

To learn more, check out the official Nation of Artists website or the individual events calendars for the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

What’s the accessibility like?

Both PAFA and the PMA are fully ADA accessible.

Throughout the galleries of both attractions, you’ll find plenty of seating areas, and both venues are fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators to each floor and accessible restrooms.

Plus, some PMA galleries for A Nation of Artists offer power outlets along the walls and benches, and those with sensory sensitivity may appreciate the wide-open corridors and quieter spaces at PAFA.

What is the Middleton Family Collection?

The private Middleton Family Collection was assembled over nearly five decades. John Middleton — art collector, philanthropist and owner of the Philadelphia Phillies — built that collection alongside his wife, Leigh.

John is descended from artists, and the diverse pieces on loan from the Middleton Family Collection are each a visual representation of the American story.

Of the more than 1,000 pieces in A Nation of Artists, 120 are from the Middleton Family Collection. Translation: Roughly one out of every 10 pieces — paintings, ceramics, tapestries and other works — has rarely or never before been on public display.

Want to know which works are directly from the Middleton Collection? Look for a stripe of dark gray tape on the ground beneath the pieces.

How can I get tickets?

Tickets for either museum can be purchased in person or online — but a massive exhibition comes with massive deals.

Purchase a full-price ticket to one museum and get a ticket to the second museum for 50% off (for use within seven days). Just click the link in your email receipt, or flash a valid ticket or receipt at the other museum’s admissions desk.

Bonus: PAFA or PMA museum members can also receive free reciprocal admission to the other museum through August 31, 2026.

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