A community of creation
Creative expression of all kinds flourishes at Penn. With on-campus museums, visiting artists from around the world, and top-flight academic programs in music, theatre, and visual art, students have the opportunity to create and appreciate art at all levels.
Penn students have access to world-class arts and culture through a variety of programs and highly-regarded centers of art and cultural excellence.
Penn Art & Culture Initiative
Learn about the breadth of departments, programs, centers and museums, dedicated to the study and celebration of art and culture.
Connect to Philadelphia’s Extensive Arts Community
Philadelphia’s vibrant arts community is one of its greatest assets. Neighborhoods like Old City are home to an eclectic mix of galleries, and the Avenue of the Arts features more than 35 performing arts venues, including the Kimmel Center (home to the Philadelphia Orchestra), the Academy of Music (featuring the nation’s oldest continually running opera house), and the Walnut Street Theater (America’s oldest theatre), among many others.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the country’s largest (and is also the site of Rocky’s famous steps), while the Rodin Museum contains the most extensive collection of Auguste Rodin works outside of France. The nearby Barnes Foundation includes a memorable permanent collection replete with famous paintings and unique objects as well as a storied past. A simple walk through its streets reveals many of the city's riches—Philadelphia boasts more murals and pieces of public art than any other American city.