The Philadelphia Museum of Art will transform part of its north wing into a dedicated learning centre following a $20 million gift from philanthropists Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky.
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Museum → transform → Brodsky
The project aims to expand educational opportunities for schoolchildren, families and adult learners through dedicated studios, family activities and community spaces.
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project → aim → studios
Announced on October 23, 2026, the initiative is among the largest gifts in the museum’s history.
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initiative → announce → history
It also marks the institution’s first major capital project since architect Frank Gehry’s renovation and expansion reopened in May 2021.
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renovation → mark → May
The $20 million gift will transform the Philadelphia Museum of Art
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gift → transform → Art
According to the museum’s official announcement, the new facility will be named the Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky Learning and Engagement Center, or Brodsky Center.
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facility → accord → announcement
It will transform parts of the north wing into spaces designed specifically for education and public engagement.
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It → transform → education
Initial plans include a family learning centre, art studios, a visitor orientation area and a multipurpose community hub.
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plans → include → centre
These facilities will allow visitors to explore art through practical activities and educational programmes, while giving school groups dedicated areas for learning.
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visitors → allow → learning
The museum has appointed Philadelphia-based architecture firm MGA Partners to develop the initial design.
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museum → appoint → design
The design is expected by summer 2027, while construction is anticipated to be completed within a few years.
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construction → expect → years
USA Art News reported that the museum’s existing education facilities cover less than 6,000 square feet.
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facilities → report → feet
The proposed centre is expected to occupy approximately 19,000 square feet, significantly increasing the space available for educational activities.
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centre → propose → activities
Why does the museum need more educational space
The museum currently welcomes approximately 36,000 students annually, but limited dedicated facilities have restricted its ability to expand educational programmes.
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facilities → need → programmes
According to the museum’s announcement, the new centre will provide additional capacity for school visits, alongside studios and rooms for activities connected to its collection.
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centre → accord → collection
Existing educational rooms will remain, while some areas currently shared between classes and meetings will become dedicated learning spaces.
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areas → exist → classes
This arrangement is expected to make it easier to accommodate school groups and organise programmes throughout the day.
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it → expect → day
The centre will also support activities for families, adult learners and community organisations.
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centre → support → families
The museum already offers free admission to visitors aged 18 and younger.
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museum → offer → visitors
It also provides free guided school visits and bus transportation for students from the School District of Philadelphia, its preschools and Head Start programmes, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation camps, and Title I schools across the tri-state region and Delaware Valley.
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It → provide → region
The expansion is intended to build on these efforts and help the museum reach more students.
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museum → intend → students
It also reflects the Brodskys’ interest in improving educational access for children and families from underserved communities.
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It → reflect → communities
How will the centre benefit families and visitors
The planned centre will offer more than space for organised school trips.
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centre → benefit → trips
Its family learning area and art studios will support hands-on activities, while the visitor orientation area will help people navigate the museum and understand its collection.
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people → support → collection
The multipurpose community hub will provide additional room for gatherings and programmes for different audiences.
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hub → provide → audiences
According to Lifestyles Magazine, the institution has been considering whether to extend its weekday opening hours, as it currently closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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it → accord → Tuesdays
Any change to the schedule remains under consideration.
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change → remain → consideration
Brodsky's deep connection with the museum
The donation builds on the couple’s longstanding relationship with the museum.
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donation → build → museum
Julian Brodsky, one of the founding principals of telecommunications company Comcast, joined the museum’s board of trustees in 1995.
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Brodsky → found → 1995
He served as vice-chair from 2003 to 2018 and chaired its audit committee from 2018 to 2023.
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He → serve → 2023
He became a trustee emeritus in 2024 and continues to serve as vice-chair of the Library and Archives Committee.
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He → become → Committee
Lois Brodsky began volunteering at the museum in 1982 as a membership guide.
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Brodsky → begin → guide
She served as a weekday guide from 1986 to 2019, helping visitors explore the permanent collection and special exhibitions.
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visitors → serve → collection
She currently serves on committees covering conservation, European art, and prints, drawings and photographs.
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She → serve → conservation
The couple have also supported earlier museum initiatives.
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couple → support → initiatives
According to the official announcement, the Constantin Brancusi gallery was renamed the Lois Green Brodsky Gallery in 2005 in recognition of their contribution to the museum’s 125th-anniversary campaign.
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gallery → accord → campaign
In 2009, they also helped establish an endowed photography curator position through the Lenfest Challenge, a fundraising initiative supporting permanent funding for important museum roles.
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they → help → roles
The museum said part of the contribution would support capital improvements, while a portion would be placed in an endowment to help sustain educational work.
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portion → say → work
The Brodsky Center will be the museum’s first major capital project since the Core Project, a four-year renovation and expansion designed by Frank Gehry that reopened in May 2021.
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that → design → May
The Aporia
