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Art & Museums in PA

Art Museums are a great day trip idea for the entire family. See a list of every Art Museum in Pennsylvania!

Andy Warhol Museum

One of the Best Art Museums in Pennsylvania!

One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Andy Warhol Museum celebrates the works of the late, great Pittsburgh native.  Warhol had a thriving career in New York City as a commercial artist, later becoming one of the most successful illustrators of the 1950's and winning numerous awards.  The spacious galleries display over 8,000 of the prolific artist's great works including never-before-seen art from his collection.  You will find paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, and various documents on the artist's life.  Warhol's eclectic film and video work is also presented on a daily basis.  Take in special presentations which include in-person appearances by visiting filmmakers and other artists.  This museum is a treat for Warhol enthusiasts and avid pop art followers everywhere!      

Carnegie Museum of Art

Visit the First Modern Art Museum in the U.S.!

Located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by famed philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1895.  One of the four Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh, it is known for its distinguished collection of American and European art from the 16th century until today.  The collection includes French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, American art from the late 19th century, and decorative arts from the late 19th century until now.  The Hall of Architecture contains the largest collection of plaster casts of architectural masterpieces in America.  The Carnegie Museum is arguably the first modern art museum in the U.S.  On average, this Pennsylvania museum of art has approximately 300,000 visitors annually. 

 

Erie Art Museum

A Great Western PA Art Museum!

Dedicated to the promotion of the visual arts, the Erie Art Museum boasts a first-class art collection.  The museum has been effective at building a community amongst artists, art students, and the public.  Check out the museum's permanent collection, which includes works by Erie natives.  The collection contains 34 drawings, which range from abstract to realistic.  You will also find a wide range of ceramics, featuring a mix of styles and decorative techniques.  Available to all ages, the educational programs include classes on ceramics, pottery, painting, photography, framing, drawing, bellydancing, and more.  Are you looking to get a piece of art framed?  Erie Museum's frame shop offers competitively priced framing services, as well as art conservation and restoration services.

 

Institute of Contemporary Art

Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary Art Museum!

This Philly art museum is dedicated to bringing the latest innovations in art to the public. With exhibitions that highlight both up and coming as well as established artists, there's always something new and interesting to see at this Philadelphia art museum. Though the museum has no permanent collections, new exhibits are displayed several times a year. 

 

The Institute of Contemporary Art is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free. Guided tours of the museum are available for a fee and must be reserved at least two weeks in advance. 

James A. Michener Art Museum

One of the Great Art Museums in PA!

Established in 1988, the James A. Michener Art Museum is a non-profit cultural institution that features a collection of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist's works.  The world-class collection of Pennsylvania impressionism includes tons of great works from local artists in the Bucks County region.  The museum hosts an assortment of nationally touring exhibitions.  One of the exhibits is An Evolving Legacy, a selection of the museum's most outstanding artwork in its over-20-year collection.  You will find both historic and contemporary work including portraits, figure studies, landscapes, narrative and genre paintings, and decorative arts.  Group and walk-in tours are available.  The Michener Art Museum is an ideal locale for special events like wedding ceremonies, cocktail receptions, and corporate meetings.  The museum gift shop offers some of its most popular items, including products that highlight PA impressionists.         

 

Lancaster Museum of Art

A Leading Cultural Museum in PA!

Ever since 1965, the Lancaster Museum of Art has been a leading cultural source in the region.  The museum is responsible for displaying an extensive collection of works by contemporary regional artists.  The non-profit organization is dedicated to educating people on the advancement of visual arts through its informative exhibits and educational programming.  Check out exhibitions of great artists in a variety of media, artist's lectures, panel discussions, and workshops.  Available to adults and children, the studio classes include courses in ceramics, drawing, and painting.  The Lancaster Museum of Art is open to the public and admission is free.  The museum has approximately 30,000 visitors every year.    

Matress Factory Art Museum

A Unique Art Museum in PA!

The Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum that exhibits room-sized works referred to as installations. The unique exhibitions are created by artists across the country and around the world.  Each exhibition is paired with fascinating educational programs that include hands-on art projects, workshops, lectures, and tours.  The museum serves as a great venue to explore connections between art, creativity, and your everyday life.  After you're done browsing through the vast art collections, you can grab a bite at The Boxspring Cafe.  The cafe's menu includes delicious soups, salads, specialty entrees, pizzas, sandwiches, and unique desserts.  There's even an outdoor patio with free wireless internet.  The Mattress Factory also provides rental spaces for people looking to host private events like corporate affairs, wedding receptions, and formal parties. 

 

Palmer Museum of Art

One of the Great Free Art Museums in PA!

Located on Penn State's University Park campus, the Palmer Museum of Art offers an eclectic array of exhibitions and displays.  The free-admission museum has 11 galleries, a print-study room, a 150-seat auditorium, and an outdoor sculpture garden.  The Palmer Museum built its impressive collection of 600+ works of art via donations from graduating classes, fund-raising efforts, and private donors.  Thanks to the generous donations, the museum is able to showcase the works of such incredible artists like Albrecht Durer, Henry Dexter, and Gilbert Stuart.  The long list of museum programs and special events include gallery talks, lectures by national and international artists and scholars, music, dance, theater performances, film series, and workshops.      

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

The Oldest Art Museum and School in the US!

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has been hosting exhibitions since that time and art education classes since 1810.  The mission of The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts  is to bring art and the public together through the exhibition of their extensive collections, regular teaching programs, special exhibitions and public programs for all ages.

 

An extensive range of art and statuary ranging from the 18th century to the present are displayed in the permanent collections in the beautiful Gothic style building which houses the academy. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for youth; children under 12 are free.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Visit One of the Largest Museums in the U.S.!

One of the largest museums in the U.S., the Philadelphia Museum of Art allows visitors from all over the globe to witness renowned art collections, acclaimed exhibitions, and enriching programs.  It remains one of the nation's foremost destinations to view world-class art, and has been celebrated by art enthusiasts everywhere.  One of the acclaimed exhibitions is Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus, in which you can view the seven painting of Jesus from the famous Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn.  The museum offers over 200 galleries that showcase works of classic and contemporary artists like Jasper Johns, Jackson Pollack, Monet, Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Renoir, and many others.  Outside the museum, you will find the famous Rocky statue, as the steps of the museum were featured in the movie's famous training montage.   

Romanian Museum

Philadelphia Art Museum with a Romanian Folk Focus!

Dedicated to preserving and spreading awareness of Romanian folk art, this museum exhibits many types of authentic Romanian works from traditional costumes to ornate rugs. Begun in 1983 the Romanian Museum has grown to be the largest collection of folkloric, village artifacts in the country; it now has locations in several states. The Philadelphia branch has a large permanent collection in addition to special changing exhibits that highlight specific types of Romanian art.

 

The gift gallery offers the opportunity to buy unique gifts for friends or family who have an interest in Romania or simply enjoy beautiful art. A donation is requested to visit this fascinating Philadelphia art museum.

Susquehanna Art Museum

A Great Art Museum in Central PA!

The Susquehanna Art Museum exhibits a variety of works by nationally and internationally artists of note. The museum provides engaging exhibitions for visitors of all ages. Some of the artists included in Susquehanna's broad collection are Salvador Dahli, Albrecht Durer, Alphonse Mucha, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.  The DOSHI Gallery was added to the museum in 1997, providing a perfect outlet for emerging and already-established PA artists to showcase their work.  The gallery features about 10 exhibits per year, with the majority of the works being available for purchase.  The education department at Susquehanna offers a wide array of art classes for children.  For adults, there are lectures, workshops, and other events that occur throughout the year.  If you're searching for the best art museums in PA, add the Susquehanna Art Museum to your list!        

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

See Art Through the Ages!

One of the largest museums in the US, this imposing Greek Revival building houses a collection of more than 225,000 objects that represent art from as far back as 300 B.C. With special exhibitions that regularly rotate and change there's always something new to see. The museum's 200 galleries present works from around the globe for visitors to appreciate.

 

Just a few blocks down the road is the Rodin Museum, a part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art which houses some of Rodin's most famous works and the largest public collection outside of Paris. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday; admission is $16 for adults and $12 for children and students.

Westmoreland Museum of American Art

One of the Best Art Museums in PA!

See the American experience brought to life through the artwork at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.  Located a mere 35 miles east of Pittsburgh, this is the only American art museum in Western PA.  Examine the works of great American artists like Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Rembrandt Peele, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.  The collections focus on artwork between 1750 and 1950.  The museum has hosted a slew of important exhibitions over the years, and is lauded for its award-winning educational programs.  For visitors with young kids there is KidSpace, a hands-on place for kids and their parents to explore art together.  The American Marketplace is a remarkable gift shop that includes books, CDs, DVDs, posters, prints, jewelry, and other souvenirs that reflect the spirit and history of American art.  All proceeds go towards funding the museum's programs.

Woodmere Art Museum

A Great Philadelphia Art Museum!

Located within an illustrious 19th century stone Victorian mansion, the Woodmere Art Museum has entertained its visitors with galleries of great exhibits since 1940.  The museum is home to over 2,500 works of art, focusing on the great artists of the Philadelphia region.  Other than exhibits, you can attend one of the informative lectures, art classes, or family events and workshops.  The museum store contains tons of items by local Philadelphia artists including jewelry, functional ceramics, and textiles.  If you visit the Woodmere during the fall season, you can treat yourself to a concert with Friday Night Jazz.  Included in the schedule is a tribute to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald.