Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts facts for kids

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Center City Philadelphia
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Location	118-128 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Built	1871–1876
Architect	Frank Furness; George Hewitt
Architectural style	Second Empire, Renaissance, Gothic
Website	www.pafa.org
NRHP reference No.	71000731
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	May 27, 1971
Designated NHL	May 15, 1975

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is a special place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is both a museum and a private art school. PAFA was started in 1805. This makes it the first and oldest art museum and art school in the United States.

The museum at PAFA is famous around the world. It has amazing collections of American paintings, sculptures, and drawings from the 1800s and 1900s. PAFA also keeps important records about American art history. These records help people study museums and how art is taught.

PAFA offers different art programs. Students can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a Master of Fine Arts (MFA). They can also get special certificates. By 2025, PAFA will mostly focus on its certificate programs. It will also continue its BFA program with the University of Pennsylvania.

History of PAFA

The 1800s

PAFA's first building in 1806, shown in an 1809 drawing

PAFA's building from 1845, shown around 1870

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts began in 1805. It was founded by famous artist and scientist Charles Willson Peale. Sculptor William Rush and other artists and leaders also helped. Their first building opened in 1806 in Center City Philadelphia.

The academy opened as a museum in 1807. Its first art show was in 1811. More than 500 paintings and statues were on display. The first art classes were held in 1810.

A fire damaged the academy in 1845. A new building opened in 1847. But it was torn down in 1870 after a storm. So, the leaders raised money for an even better building. They built the current Furness-Hewitt building. It opened in 1876 for the Philadelphia Exposition.

In 1876, a former student named Thomas Eakins came back to teach. He became a faculty member in 1878. Later, he became the director in 1882. Eakins changed the art program. Students learned drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking. They studied for two years. Then they did their own art projects. Teachers and other artists gave them advice.

In 1844, women artists were allowed to use the statue gallery. They could study in the museum on certain days. By 1860, women could take anatomy and antique drawing classes. They could also use the library. In 1868, women could draw from live female models. Male models were added six years later.

In 1878, Catherine Drinker became the first woman to teach at PAFA. In 1895, her cousin Cecilia Beaux became the first female professor. She taught painting and drawing.

The 1900s

Edward Hornor Coates was the president of PAFA from 1890 to 1906. He helped the academy grow a lot. He received a gold medal from PAFA in 1915.

During his time, PAFA got many rich donations. They also started a collection of national portraits. Some of the best works by Gilbert Stuart were bought. The yearly art shows became very popular. Coates made sure the art school stayed strong. He helped protect it from new, wild art styles.

Harrison S. Morris was a director from 1892 to 1905. He collected modern American art for PAFA. He bought works by famous artists like Cecilia Beaux and William Merritt Chase. Art by The Eight is also in PAFA's collection. This group included former students Robert Henri and John Sloan. Their art connects the 1800s and 1900s art styles.

The 2000s

In 2010, PAFA received a special gift. It was the Linda Lee Alter Collection of Art by Women. This collection has almost 500 artworks by female artists. It includes works by Louise Bourgeois and Judy Chicago. It also has art by Philadelphia artists like Barbara Bullock. In 2012, PAFA showed this collection in an exhibit called The Female Gaze.

How PAFA Works

North River by George Bellows, 1908

Washington Foyer

The Museum

Since it started, PAFA has collected art by top American artists. It also collects art by its talented students and teachers. Today, PAFA continues to collect art by modern artists.

The museum shows both old and new art. It also features art by local artists. Each year, it displays works by PAFA students. The art is arranged by time period and theme. This helps visitors learn about American art history.

The School

PAFA has offered a four-year certificate program for a long time. Since 1929, students could get a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. This was done with the University of Pennsylvania. Now, PAFA also offers its own BFA degree. There is also a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program.

In 2005, PAFA won the National Medal of Arts. This award recognized its leadership in art education.

In 2007, PAFA and the Philadelphia Museum of Art bought a famous painting. It was The Gross Clinic by Thomas Eakins. This painting is shown at both museums.

PAFA also has agreements with other colleges. Students from places like Camden County College can transfer to PAFA. This makes it easier for more students to study art.

In 2013, PAFA received special accreditation. This means its programs meet high standards.

In 2024, PAFA announced some changes. After 2025, it will no longer offer its own BFA or MFA degrees. But it will still have certificate programs. And the BFA program with the University of Pennsylvania will continue.

PAFA Buildings

The Furness-Hewitt building in 1965

The Furness-Hewitt Building

The main museum building started being built in 1871. It opened in 1876. Famous American architects Frank Furness and George Hewitt designed it. People call it "One of the most magnificent Victorian buildings in the country."

The outside of the building looks like many different styles. It mixes Second Empire, Renaissance Revival, and Gothic Revival styles. The building uses different colored materials. These include brownstone, sandstone, pink granite, and red brick. It was the first building in the U.S. made just for teaching and showing fine art.

Inside the Furness-Hewitt building

The inside of the building is also very colorful. It has gold patterns on red walls. The ceiling is blue with silver stars. The gallery walls are plum, yellow, sand, and olive green. The building uses brick, stone, and iron. Some iron beams were left uncovered to help prevent fires.

Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building

In 2002, a generous donation helped PAFA grow. The academy bought an old car factory next to its main building. This building was designed by Charles Oelschlager. It was renamed the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building. PAFA moved into this new building in 2006.

The new building has a large exhibition space. It is called the Fisher Brooks Gallery. This building also has Portfolio, the museum's gift shop.

Awards from PAFA

• Widener Gold Medal: PAFA started this award for sculpture in 1912. It honors the best sculpture by an American artist. It is named after George D. Widener, who died on the RMS Titanic.

Past Awards

• Beck Gold Medal: This award was for the best portrait by an American artist. It was given from 1909 to 1968.
• Mary Smith Prize: This prize was for the best painting by a woman artist living in the area. It was given from 1879 to 1968.
• Temple Gold Medal: This award was for the best oil painting by an American artist. It was given from 1883 to 1968.

Selling Artworks

In 2013, PAFA sold a painting called East Wind Over Weehawken. It was painted by Edward Hopper in 1934. PAFA sold it to create a special fund. This fund helps the museum buy new art. The painting sold for over $40 million. This helped PAFA get about $23.5 million for its art fund.

Famous People from PAFA

Portrait of Edward Hornor Coates, a 1912 painting of PAFA's 10th President

Many famous artists and teachers have been part of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Some of them include:

Images for kids

• 

  In Spanish: Academia de Bellas Artes de Pensilvania para niños

See also

• List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Center City, Philadelphia