Philadelphia, February 27, 2026 – The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) is proud to announce the return of its beloved Pay What You Wish (PWYW) Friday Nights, beginning on April 10 for the opening weekend of the A Nation of Artists exhibition and continuing through September 4, Labor Day weekend.

 The museum is presenting this expanded access—named Independent Fridays—as it celebrates its 150th anniversary and prepares to welcome local, national, and global audiences for a landmark spring and summer for America’s 250th anniversary.

“We are proud and grateful as an institution to have served the people of Philadelphia for 150 years, and the best way to honor our mission is to make our galleries and programming even more accessible,” said Daniel Weiss, the George D. Widener Director and CEO. “Independent Fridays is our birthday gift to Philadelphia, and a reaffirmation of our mission of bring art to people and people to art in Philadelphia.”

This expanded commitment to accessibility is made possible by PMA’s board chair, Ellen Caplan and her husband Ron Caplan, and by the William Penn Foundation. Their generous gifts will offset reduced admissions fees, ensuring that lower-income residents and guests, including families and children, continue to have meaningful, affordable opportunities to engage with the arts.

 The museum recently piloted a return to PWYW Friday Nights for the final three weeks of the exhibition, Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100, resulting in an overwhelming 128% increase in attendance compared to the prior three weeks of January 2026, and an almost 20% increase in the admission revenue over the same three-week period. Previously the museum had a pay what you wish Fridays tradition for many years, which was discontinued in 2024, replaced by a reduced-admission program.

“The energy and delight from our visitors on these Friday evenings is palpable—and connecting with our community is exactly what the museum stands for,” said Ellen Caplan, chair of the board of trustees of the museum. “The Pay What You Wish program is how I was first introduced to the museum as a child. It’s an honor for me and the entire board to support Dan and the museum for these exciting months ahead. There’s no better way to turn 150 than to say thank you to our city.”

This spring and summer, Philadelphia will take on a vibrant new energy as the city marks its semiquincentennial. At the heart of this landmark season, the museum will showcase two major exhibitions that define the moment. Opening on April 12, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts present A Nation of Artists, a landmark exhibition and collaboration with the private Middleton Family Collection. The dual-venue exhibition brings together an expansive range of works that highlight the creative vision and cultural diversity that shaped the United States from its founding through the present. Then opening April 25 will be Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments, an exploration of the iconic Rocky statue. Together, these exhibitions anchor a full season of programs that celebrate Philadelphia’s creativity, history, and global spotlight.

For many years, PWYW Friday Nights drew thousands of visitors and served as one of Philadelphia’s most cherished traditions. The return of PWYW Friday Nights reaffirms the museum’s commitment to making art accessible to all.

Visitors can also enjoy the museum’s PWYW Friday Nights signature experience, featuring locally sourced cocktails, light bites, gallery tours, and live music from our DJs-in Residence. With galleries open late, guests can unwind from the week, explore favorite works, and discover new ones.

After September 4, the museum will continue to offer its regular half-off discounted rates on Friday nights at $15 for general admission. Admissions for the first Sunday of every month are always Pay What You Wish.

As the museum celebrates its 150th anniversary, it honors not only its world‑class collection but the millions of people who have shaped its history. Ensuring that everyone feels welcome remains a core priority: children 18 and under are always free, and discounted admission is available for seniors, and students.

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