The Rocky statue calls the Philadelphia Art Museum home, so it only makes sense that the museum will soon feature a new exhibit all about the iconic statue and other monuments.
This April, the statue of the Sylvester Stallone character will be at the center of a new exhibit that’s set to debut just in time for the 50th anniversary of the original “Rocky” movie.
The exhibit, called “Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,” will feature more than 150 different pieces by more than 50 artists and artifacts spanning more than 2,000 years.
Organizers say “Rising Up” will explore how monuments are created and reshaped by artists, communities, and the passage of time.
The exhibition will highlight often-overlooked stories behind public statues, including Philadelphia’s boxing legends, immigrant neighborhoods, and ongoing debates over the future of shared spaces.
“I am thrilled to celebrate the announcement of the historic Rising Up exhibition in 2026 at the Philadelphia Art Museum,” said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. “This show is a testament to the vitality and passion of Philadelphia’s arts, culture, and sports communities. Rising Up explores the city’s relationship to its many statues, the artists who create them, and the many neighborhoods where these statues exist. It is more than timely as we approach our monumental Semiquincentennial year.”
The exhibit will be open from April 25 through August 2, 2026, according to the museum.
So the next year, when you’re running up the art museum steps, consider continuing the victory lap inside to experience “Rocky” in a whole new way.