The Philadelphia Museum of Art will revamp its north wing into an educational center over the next several years, thanks to a $20 million donation from a Comcast co-founder.<\/p>\n
Julian and Lois Brodsky gifted the sum, one of the largest in the museum’s history. Named in their honor, the new space will tentatively feature a visitor orientation area, art studios, a multipurpose community hub and a family learning center. It will be designed by the local firm MGA Partners, with plans expected by next summer and construction to follow at a later date.<\/p>\n
MORE:\u00a0These childhood best friends are driving from Philly to Niagara Falls in toy cars\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n The educational center is the first major capital project for the art museum since Frank Gehry’s four-year interior expansion and renovation, which concluded in 2021<\/a>. It is not, however, the Brodskys’ first donation. The\u00a0couple also contributed significantly to the museum’s 125th anniversary drive and the 2009 Lenfest Challenge. A photography curator position and the former\u00a0Constantin Brancusi gallery were renamed to reflect their philanthropy.<\/p>\n Julian Brodsky, one of the founders of Comcast, has sat on the museum’s board of trustees since 1995 and is currently a trustee emeritus. Lois volunteered as a museum guide for over 30 years.<\/p>\n Museum officials said<\/a> the\u00a0Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky Learning and Engagement Center will allow them to host “significantly” more students. The site currently welcomes about 36,000 each year, but has a “need for expanded capacity to host school groups,” said Audrey Hudson, deputy director for leaning and engagement.<\/p>\n Follow Kristin & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @kristin_hunt
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