Latest Events in Philadelphia(April Updated)

The museum draws inspiration from its collections, including some recently acquired items, showcasing Japanese paintings and ceramics spanning over five centuries (from the 16th century to the present). These works not only demonstrate the evolution and development of Japanese local art expression but also offer glimpses into Japan's ever-changing cultural and social landscape.

The exhibition, “Where Are We Now? Places and People in America, 1955-2025,” opens with photographs by Swiss-born artist Robert Frank. In 1955, Frank published his photobook, *The Americans*, a collection of photographs taken during his long road trips across America. The book sparked controversy because it revealed, in an almost casual manner, the divisions in American social life, particularly the racism and other prejudices that shape the public experience. While Frank's photographs unsettled many, his collection reads like a love letter to the land he inhabited. This exhibition, in keeping with his spirit, brings together photographic works by numerous artists exploring the American experience and identity in various ways. The exhibition title poses an open-ended question. The photographs on display do not offer simple answers. Together, they raise another simple question: What does it look like when we try to unite?

The museum recently acquired two large-scale print series: *On the Executed* (from *Robin's Intimacy*) and *The Manifestation of Historical Turmoil* (from *Robin's Intimacy*). Each set is fourteen feet long and consists of ten prints, all printed using fifty identical copperplates. These works are the result of years of close collaboration between Meretto and Case Hudson, a senior printmaker at the Los Angeles print studio Gemini GEL, and a team of etymologists. Created during Meretto's studio residency in 2019, the prints are as complex and sophisticated as the images themselves: they combine etching and splatter techniques, and are inked using the "doll print" (à la poupée) method—a technique that involves manually applying ink to specific etched areas of the print and then skillfully wiping away the ink from other areas. These works collectively demonstrate the rapid pace of Meretu's creative process: her bold calligraphic brushstrokes, and the lines and symbols whose meanings are difficult to fully elucidate.

Bruno Mars The Romantic Tour In Philadelphia 2026 marks a highly anticipated stop on the acclaimed artist’s fifth headlining concert tour, supporting his fourth studio album, *The Romantic* (2026). Set to take place at the iconic Lincoln Financial Field on September 1, 2026, this event promises an unforgettable evening of soulful melodies and electrifying performances. The Romantic Tour, which kicks off on April 10, 2026, in Las Vegas and concludes on October 14, 2026, in Vancouver, represents Mars’ first major tour since his Bruno Mars Live tour (2022–2024) and his first live shows following the Park MGM residency in 2025. Notably, the tour features a stellar lineup of opening acts, including Anderson .Paak (performing as DJ Pee .Wee), Leon Thomas, Victoria Monét, and Raye, adding layers of excitement to the overall experience. The announcement of the tour closely followed the release of Mars’ album, revealed through a series of posts in early January 2026, which unveiled the album title, cover art, and lead single, “I Just Might.“ As the city of Philadelphia prepares to host this landmark event, Bruno Mars The Romantic Tour In Philadelphia 2026 stands out as a defining moment in the artist’s career and a must-see for concertgoers seeking a blend of heartfelt lyricism and dynamic showmanship.

This exhibition celebrates the outstanding paintings, drawings, and prints by female artists in the collection of Keith and Jim Straw. The Philadelphia couple began collecting art in the 1970s, a time when collecting works by women artists was relatively rare. They initially collected works by active 19th-century artists, but over time their collection expanded to include contemporary artists, forging close personal relationships with them. To celebrate the Straws' commitment to donate a portion of their collection to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this exhibition features representative works by artists such as Lily Martin Spencer, Susanna Varadon, Betty Sal, Joan Quirk-Tu-Sy Smith, and Kay Wokingstick. These artworks collectively demonstrate the resilience and creativity of women artists throughout history.

Noah Davis's initial wish was simple: "I wanted to represent the people around me." Born in Seattle in 1983, he later settled in Los Angeles, where he captured the complexities of contemporary Black life with a delicate and profound touch. As a beloved painter, this major retrospective also showcases other aspects of his work—from collecting photographs at flea markets to creating collages, websites, sculptures, and ultimately, his own museum.

The groundbreaking exhibition spans 18,000 square feet and features eight themed galleries, 25 interactive experiences, and over 100 original artifacts from fan-favorite attractions, including Jurassic World, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, Universal Monsters, and more. It celebrates Universal’s rich history of bringing iconic franchises to life in unique and creative ways, as well as developing thrilling attractions. The exhibit offers a special, inside look at the storytelling, innovation and world-building behind Universal’s legendary creations, from The World Famous Studio Tour, exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood, to the most recent launch of Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort and the largest and most technologically advanced theme park to open in the US in decades. From animatronics, robotics, and ride design to costuming and special effects, guests will explore the artistry, creativity, and technology behind the thrills and chills of the award-winning Universal theme parks. The galleries will delve into the creative world of storyboard artists, animators, game designers, visual effects artists, and prop masters for a rare glimpse into the universe of innovation driven by talented teams that push the boundaries of themed entertainment and shape the future of epic experiences.

The exhibition will present Erasius's creative journey over two decades, including early conceptual works inspired by nature and found objects, as well as furniture, mirrors, and other products created using appropriated and digitally processed Greco-Roman artifacts. In addition, the exhibition will showcase a series of the designer's "dynamic" cabinets, characterized by their movable components. Erasius is committed to breaking the traditional notion that cabinets must be boxes with two front doors, or, in the artist's words, "breaking the box." In his "Dual Perspectives" series, he proposes a dynamic lifestyle where furniture can rotate, swing, and unfold in different ways. ‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌ ‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌

The installation highlights picture frames as works of art in their own right, exploring their shifting forms and functions from the altar-like frames of the Renaissance to the experimental, artist-designed frames of the late 1800s. It will include 13 frames from the Johnson Collection, which, together, express the craftsmanship and variety of European frames through the centuries.

The "Nation of Artists" exhibition aims to showcase the richness and diversity of American art, tracing the evolution of artistic creativity in the United States over three centuries. The exhibition will feature artworks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection over the past 150 years, as well as the Middleton Family Collection—one of the most important private art collections in the United States. The exhibition will unfold chronologically around different themes, exploring various types of artistic creation, from ceramics, wood carving, and painting to fashion, encompassing Native American, African American, and historically underrepresented artists who have collectively shaped American visual culture.