Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Founded in 1805 as America's first art museum and school, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts stands as a cornerstone of Philadelphia's cultural landscape and a pillar of American artistic heritage. The institution houses a world-renowned collection of American art spanning painting, sculpture, and works on paper from the 19th and 20th centuries, displayed within two historic buildings designed by renowned architect Frank Furness. PAFA has educated visionary artists including Mary Cassatt, Maxfield Parrish, and David Lynch, while maintaining its dual mission of preserving cultural history and nurturing the next generation of creative talent. Today, this celebrated museum continues to shape American art through cutting-edge exhibitions, community engagement, and its prestigious school, making it an essential destination for anyone seeking to understand the depth and evolution of American artistic expression.