Top Exhibitions in Philadelphia
Date
October 11, 2024
Philadelphia has a treasure trove of exhibitions that attract science and culture enthusiasts from across the globe.
From world-renowned museums to cutting-edge galleries, the city offers a diverse range that caters to every taste. Here are some of the top exhibitions in Philadelphia.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
“Ice Dinosaurs”
Dates: September 28, 2024–May 4, 2025
Ice Dinosaurs, the Academy’s new special exhibit, takes visitors back to the Late Cretaceous period in the Arctic, where dinosaurs thrived in extreme polar environments. This immersive experience features animatronic dinosaurs, real fossils, and interactive maps, allowing guests to follow a family of Troodons. Through engaging displays, visitors can explore the dinosaurs’ adaptations, like hunting, hibernating, and nest-building, while marveling at life-like moving creatures.
The African American Museum in Philadelphia
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 701 Arch St
“Shared Vision: Portraits from The CCH Pounder-Koné Collection”
Dates: September 14, 2024 – March 2, 2025
Shared Vision: Portraits from The CCH Pounder-Koné Collection showcases a selection of contemporary African and African diasporic art collected by actress and art patron CCH Pounder. The exhibition features striking portraits that explore themes of identity, culture, and heritage, offering insight into the diverse experiences of African and African-descended artists. Through this collection, Pounder emphasizes the power of portraiture to capture personal stories and challenge traditional narratives in the art world.
Barnes Foundation
Neighborhood: Fairmount
Address: 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The Franklin Institute
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 222 N 20th St.
“The Art of the Brick”
Dates: Through November 17, 2024
Known as the world’s largest display of LEGO® art, “The Art of the Brick” has returned to The Franklin Institute. This exhibition features 100 incredible works of art made from millions of colorful LEGO® bricks by artist Nathan Sawaya. Visitors will be able to get an up-close view of original pieces, as well as reimagined ones. This exhibition also includes a Philadelphia-exclusive Liberty Bell creation and a 9,000-square-foot brick play space.
The Liberty Bell at the Art of the Brick by D. Casarella for PHLCVB
“Body Odyssey”
Dates: Opening November 23
Philadelphia’s beloved Giant Heart is reopening to the public! The heart headlines “Body Odyssey,” a new exhibition about the human body where guests will embark on an immersive journey through the human body, exploring its inner workings and how cutting-edge technology pushes the boundaries of medicine and human performance.
“The Hamilton Collections Gallery”
Dates: Opening November 23
The Hamilton Collections Gallery will showcase the Baldwin 60,000 steam locomotive, inviting guests to explore its intricate machinery and the innovation behind the Industrial Revolution. Rare artifacts from The Franklin Institute surround this centerpiece, offering a deeper dive into technological advancements and the evolution of transportation.
Museum of the American Revolution
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 101 S 3rd St.
“Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent”
Dates: February 17, 2024 – January 5, 2025
“Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent” highlights the journey of General George Washington’s headquarters tent during the American Revolution. The exhibition delves into the individuals who preserved this historical artifact, transforming it into a symbol of the American republic. Showcasing art, documents, and objects from various collections, it traces the tent’s path from Washington’s farewell in 1783 to its role in the Civil War era. The exhibition unfolds the tent’s complex history, involving figures like Martha Washington, Robert E. Lee, and Mary Custis Lee, ultimately leading to its preservation at the Museum of the American Revolution.
George Washington’s Tent at the Museum of the American Revolution
National Liberty Museum
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 321 Chestnut St.
“In Pursuit: Artists’ Perspectives on a Nation”
Dates: May 10 – October 28, 2024
The National Liberty Museum hosts “In Pursuit: Artists’ Perspectives on a Nation,” an ambitious exhibition curated by Philadelphia Sculptors. It showcases sculptures and installations by seven acclaimed artists across three floors. Featuring works by artists like Anila Quayyum Agha and Nicholas Galanin, the exhibition fosters civic dialogue on America’s complexity. The exhibit invites viewers to envision a future that values the dignity of all. Through themes of justice, freedom, and cultural identity, it explores and expands our understanding of America’s history and present.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 118-128 N Broad St
“Philadelphia Revealed: Unpacking the Attic”
Dates: July 18 – December 1, 2024
“Philadelphia Revealed: Unpacking the Attic” is a comprehensive exhibition showcasing over 600 genuine artifacts from the city’s history collection, spanning 350 years. It celebrates Philadelphia’s heritage, emphasizing the Atwater Kent Collection’s evolution over 80 years, encompassing diverse narratives from the city’s residents and their contributions. Through interactive displays, multimedia, and hundreds of historical images, the exhibition vividly portrays Philadelphia’s rich cultural, civic, and sporting history.
Making Strange: Sacred Imagery and the Self
Dates: November 14, 2024 through April 6, 2025
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Neighborhood: Fairmount
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
“The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure”
Dates: November 9, 2024–February 9, 2025
“The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure” curated by Ekow Eshun, showcases 27 Black and African diasporic contemporary artists who use painting, drawing, and sculpture to celebrate the richness of Black life. Inspired by James Baldwin’s writings, the exhibition emphasizes the urgency of contemporary Black artistic expression, exploring themes such as Double Consciousness, The Persistence of History, and Our Aliveness. These works examine Black identity, the erasure of Black figures in mainstream narratives, and the celebration of Black culture and community.
Image courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art
Rodin Museum
Neighborhood: Fairmount
Address: 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
“Rodin’s Hands”
Dates: Through January 5, 2025
At the Rodin Museum, “Rodin’s Hands” highlights the artist’s mastery in conveying emotion through the sculpting of hands. The exhibition features fifteen bronzes and plasters — many of which are rare or unique to the Philadelphia collection. These join the other masterpieces on view as part of one of the largest Rodin collections outside of Paris.
‘Two Hands,’ modeled 1904 by Auguste Rodin, French, 1840–1917; cast 1925 by the founder Alexis Rudier (French, 1874–1952). Bronze, 18 x 20 7/8 x 12 3/4 inches (45.7 x 53 x 32.4 cm). Bequest of Jules E. Mastbaum, 1929. Image courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2021.
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