Philadelphia, which is preparing for the nation’s 250th anniversary (of nationhood) in 2026 by scheduling a full slate of special events, has announced a major new arts initiative.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA), Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), and the owner of one of the most significant private holdings of American art are collaborating to showcase the most expansive collection of American Art ever mounted in the city.
A Nation of Artists, opening in April 2026, will be a dual-venue exhibition that will unite these three major collections of American art featuring over 1,000 unique pieces.
At the PMA, one of the largest art museums in the country, the exhibition will highlight the evolution of American identity and visual culture through art, while the exhibition at PAFA, the first art school and museum founded in the U.S., will highlight how American artists learn and develop.
Speaking at IPW in Chicago, Sasha Suda, CEO of PMA, said: “What makes American art so powerful is not only where it was made, but who made it – and why.”
“A Nation of Artists will highlight the creative contributions of women, immigrants, Indigenous makers, self-taught artists, and academic painters alike and present a broad and vibrant picture of artistic expression that was happening across the country through both familiar icons and voices that have historically been overlooked.”
To enrich the collection John S. Middleton, the majority owner of Philadelphia’s Major League baseball team, the Phillies, will contribute pieces from the family’s private art collection that have not previously been seen by the public.
The Middleton Family Collection will be integrated across both venues, “promoting deeper reflection through the collaborative process”.
“This exhibition is for everyone – no prior knowledge of art or history is required,” said Middleton.
“As someone who believes in the power of storytelling to connect people, I’m thrilled to partner with these two storied institutions to share the works that have brought our family so much joy and inspiration.
“Just like baseball, art has the power to bring people together and surprise us when we least expect it. With every viewing, there’s something new to discover. It’s an honour to help bring American art to life in a new way during this very special commemoration of our country’s 250th anniversary.”
Philadelphia is home to some of the world’s finest museum collections as well as the largest collection of public and street art.
Mural Arts Philadelphia, which has helped created over 4,000 street murals in the city since 1984, and the city’s 1 per cent for public art law have helped make access to art in Philadelphia as democratic as the ideals laid down by the founders in the city in 1776.
