PHOTOS: Amarna Egyptian exhibit at the Penn Museum and more
Philadelphia Arts
The Philadelphia Arts scene ranks in America’s top tier. It is highlighted by the encyclopedic Philadelphia Museum of Art, the classical Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the versatile Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, and more.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION: PMA is one of the world’s great museums mounted on a precipice at the end of a legendary boulevard. Philanthropy and civic investment since 1876 have expanded exhibit space to 500,000 square feet. In industry circles, it’s considered an encyclopedic museum for its large and diverse 227,000 pieces of art. You have to walk through PMA to appreciate its massive scale and major holdings of European, American, and Asian artwork. Two annexes are the Rodin Museum and the Perelman Building, which is located across the street just north of the main building. Together they host prints, drawings, photographs, costumes, and contemporary design objects such as furniture, ceramics, and glasswork. Temporary exhibits are plentiful at PMA but often have an extra charge for entrance. Wisely, PMA leaves Egyptian, Roman, and Pre-Columbian art at the University of Pennsylvania Museum.
ADMISSION: $20 adults, $18 age 65+, $15 children; “Pay What You Wish” first Sunday of each month 10a–5p and every Wednesday 5p–8:45p
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun 10a-5p, Wed and Fri 10a-8:45p
ADDRESS: Art Museum Plaza at Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 22nd Street SEPTA Station
WEBSITE: https://www.philamuseum.org
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
DESCRIPTION: Many Philly visitors never make it to the Penn Campus in West Philadelphia. As a result, they miss signature art galleries for Africa, Israel, China, Egypt, Ancient Rome, Etruscan Italy, Greece, Japan, Mexico & Central America. Its Africa collections come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Angola, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Madagascar. These extensive collections began in 1887, and are housed in an eclectic-style brick landmark building on campus. Kress Entrance on the east side of the Museum at 3260 South Street, is wheelchair accessible.
ADMISSION: $12 adults, $8 ages 13-18, Free ages 12 &under; “Pay What You Wish” first Sunday of each month 10a–5p and every Wednesday 5p–8p
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun 10a-5p, First Wednesdays 10a-8p
ADDRESS: 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 34th Street & Market SEPTA Station
WEBSITE: https://www.penn.museum
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
DESCRIPTION: Among the many permanent and changing galleries of classic European and European-inspired art in this distinguished venue, a fine art exhibition by African American Artists is celebrated each year.
ADMISSION: Permanent Collection Adults $10, Seniors & Students $8, Ages 5-18 $6
DAYS & HOURS: Library Mon-Thu 8a-7p, Fri 8a-4:30p, Sat 10a-1p, Summers 8:30a-4:30p
ADDRESS: Broad and Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and paid lots nearby
RAPID TRANSIT: City Hall SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-972-7600
WEBSITE: https://www.pafa.org
Institute of Contemporary Art
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1963 at the University of Pennsylvania, ICA presents contemporary art through thought-provoking exhibitions and programs concerning the modern world; recent exhibitions include the Architecture of Absence, Soft Sites and Ramp Project.
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Fri 12p-8p,
Sat-Sun 11a-5p
ADDRESS: 118 South 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: garages and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 36th Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-898-7108
WEBSITE: https://www.icaphila.org
Academy of Music
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1857, it’s the oldest known opera house continuously in use in America. The lavish interior is modeled after the La Scala Opera House in Milan. The Academy is home to Philadelphia’s Opera Company and a series of national productions. Philadelphia Orchestra returns every January to play the Academy Anniversary Concert and Ball.
BOX OFFICE: Kimmel Center Box Office 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 1420 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: Doubletree Hotel offers discounted parking with ticket stub
RAPID TRANSIT: Walnut-Locust SEPTA Station and 15th-16th Street PATCO Station
PHONE: 215-893-1999
WEBSITE: https://www.academyofmusic.org
Merriam Theater
DESCRIPTION: The old Schubert Theatre is now the Merriam, run under the auspices of The University of the Arts. It preserves the old Broadway touring tradition by importing recent hits and long-running musicals. Fully restored, the theatre is as it was created in the early 20th century. Recent seasons have included Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and The Full Monty.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 10a-5:30p
ADDRESS: 250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: Doubletree Hotel offers discounted parking with ticket stub
RAPID TRANSIT: Walnut-Locust SEPTA Station and 15th-16th Street PATCO Station
PHONE: tickets 215-732-5446
WEBSITE: https://www.merriamtheater.org
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2001, Kimmel Center is the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, one of America’s “Big Five” symphony orchestras in its 2500-set Verizon Hall. Kimmel Center is also the home venue of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Philadanco, and Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Kimmel Center Presents hosts a variety of jazz, classical, and world pop performers in the 650-seat Perelman Theater. The Kimmel also hosts corporate parties in its oversized atrium.
BOX OFFICE: 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: Doubletree Hotel across the street offers discounted parking with ticket stub
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station and 15th-16th Street PATCO Station
PHONE: 215-790-5800
WEBSITE: https://www.kimmelcenter.org
Wilma Theatre
DESCRIPTION: With its neon signage out front, you immediately get the impression this is a hip place. It was named “Theater Company of the Year” by the Philadelphia Inquirer last decade. The Wilma provides a home to many world premieres and leading-edge plays.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10:30a-6p
ADDRESS: 265 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: Doubletree Hotel offers discounted parking with ticket stub
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: tickets 215-546-7824
WEBSITE: https://www.wilmatheater.org
Arts Bank
DESCRIPTION: For over 130 years, the University of the Arts is the first and only university in the US solely dedicated to educating creative individuals in the visual, performing, and communication arts; the campus of training includes design, visual, media, and performing arts; with over 2,000 students are enrolled there are plenty of crafts, design, fine arts, media arts; dance, music, theater. See many cutting-edge projects on ever-changing displays.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-5p; and Saturday during events
ADDRESS: 601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-545-0590
WEBSITE: https://www.uarts.edu/events
InterAct Theatre Company
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1988 to foster positive social change, this local treasure asks important questions about the world and challenges you with thought-provoking views from contemporary playwrights.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat 2p-7p on performance days
ADDRESS: 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: garages and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 19th Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: tickets 215-568-8079
WEBSITE: https://www.interacttheatre.org
Forrest Theatre
DESCRIPTION: The other Broadway-style theatre remaining from the early 20th century; named after the famed 19th-century actor Edwin Forrest; Te Forrest has featured many Broadway plays.
BOX OFFICE: get tickets at Kimmel Center Box Office 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 1114 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: garages and paid lots
TRANSIT: 11th Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: tickets 800-447-7400
WEBSITE: https://www.Forrest-theatre.com
Walnut Street Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1809, it’s the oldest theatre in America. Fully restored in the 1990s, it features smaller off-Broadway style plays. Noteworthy American actors of the 19th and 20th centuries performing here include Edwin Forrest, Helen Hayes, Houdini, Edward G. Robinson, George C. Scott, Jack Lemmon, Claudette Colbert, Jane Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Ethel Waters, and Jessica Tandy.
BOX OFFICE: Mon 10a–6p, Tue–Sat 10a–6p on non-performance dates; 10a–showtime on performance dates; Sun closed on non-performance dates, Noon–showtime on performance dates
ADDRESS: 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: garages and paid lots
TRANSIT: 9th-10th Street PATCO Station
PHONE: tickets 215-574-3550
WEBSITE: https://www.wstonline.org
Painted Bride Art Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1969, it provides a wide array of artistic voices concerned with political and social issues. Painted Bride’s mission is to create and present programs that affirm the intrinsic values of all cultures, the inspirational and healing powers of the arts, and their ability to effect social change. Its main venue is a 250-seat theater and gallery perfectly suited to intimate performances. This art center was paramount to the development of Old City as one of the premier art centers in the nation.
BOX OFFICE: Tue-Sat 12p-6p and one hour before show time
ADDRESS: 230 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: garages and paid lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 2nd Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-925-9914
WEBSITE: https://www.paintedbride.org
Mann Center for the Performing Arts
DESCRIPTION: Provides outdoor concert patrons with more than 4,000 seats under pavilion cover and 10,000 general admission spaces under on the lawn. Originally founded as the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, this venue also hosts the likes of Patti Labelle, Anita Baker, and Tony Bennett. Dining options are available for a complete entertainment experience. Since the stage is covered, shows proceed rain or shine.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 10a-5p or Kimmel Center Box Office 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: none
PHONE: tickets 215-893-1999
WEBSITE: https://www.manncenter.org
