Community Engagement

Our mission is to create a space of learning and exploration where art is accessible to everyone in Philadelphia, and beyond. To achieve this, we partner with city organizations, schools, and cultural organizations to build an environment of collaboration and belonging where as many communities as possible can enjoy the benefits of art.

Two children looking at a painting placed outside

Community Engagement Efforts

We Create Authentic Art Experiences for All

The museum works closely with our community partners to provide enriching programs and educational experiences to neighborhoods throughout our city. By meeting people where they already are, we’re able to connect with the broader cultural ecosystem of our city, learning and creating experiences together.

Some of our recent community partners include:

Broad Street Ministry, Project HOME, and the People’s Emergency Center, Brewerytown Athletic Recreation Center, Paul Robeson House and Museum, Going Inward Wellness, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Interfaith Philadelphia, Kelly Writers House, the Philly Death Doula Collective, the People’s Paper Co-op, Philadelphia Bail Fund, BlackStar Projects, the Free Library of Philadelphia, Smith Playground, Parks and Recreation, the Philadelphia Juneteenth Family, the Library Company of Philadelphia, Tiny WPA, MANNA, and the School District of Philadelphia.

We Partner with Impactful Philly Organizations

Community Spotlight

Philadelphia is home to a plethora of fantastic cultural and civic organizations that make a difference in local communities every day. Through our Community Spotlight initiative, we highlight some of these organizations using our space, digital platforms, and through thoughtful and collaborative programming. Through our partnerships, we hope to promote each organization’s mission and encourage our visitors to show their support.

This year, we have been spotlighting Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund, Asian Arts Initiative, and Broad Street Ministry.

Please check our social channels for updates and dedicated posts throughout the year.

A speaker talking to a group of people about a large mural in the Perelman Building

Current Community Initiatives

Connecting with Communities

The Division of Learning and Engagement provides collaborative art programs and museum visits to local groups and families. All projects are created in collaboration with community partners, ensuring that each program is tailored to the unique interests and needs of that group. The Division of Learning and Engagement also supports special short-term projects to provide art programs and museum visits themed in conjunction with special exhibitions at the museum.

Community Conversations

Started in 2016, Community Conversations are participatory conversations between experts in our communities that tease out some of the socially relevant topics in our exhibits. We relinquish the idea that the museum is the expert and instead we converse together with people from our city and its various communities because we believe that we all have valuable insights that contribute to our conversations.

Museum Tours

Our Learning and Engagement staff works with community partners to customize free tours and workshops. Each program is a collaborative effort and provides a one-of-a-kind experience that reflects the interests and activities of a particular organization.

Family Passes, STAMP and ACCESS, Military Admission

The museum is for everyone and we want everyone to have access to it. Every first Sunday of the month is Pay What You Wish admission. PA ACCESS card or EBT card holders are free with photo ID. And 18 and under are always free.

Community Engagement