Philadelphia Makes Global Splash at IPW 2025 With Ambitious Arts-Focused Vision for America’s 250th

Edward Hopper, The Lee Shore, c. 1941. The Middleton Family Collection

As the world looks toward the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, Philadelphia—the birthplace of American democracy—is preparing to reclaim its place on the global stage in a bold and transformative way. During a press conference at the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2025, Gregg Caren, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), introduced an exciting slate of initiatives that position Philadelphia not only as a historical treasure but also as a vibrant, forward-looking arts and culture capital.

Caren emphasized that “art is absolutely part of who we are in Philadelphia.” He continued, “From the sculpture of William Penn atop City Hall to the thousands of murals across our neighborhoods, Philadelphia makes sure art is part of our daily lives—and in 2026, visitors will experience that like never before.”

A Nation of Artists: A Landmark Exhibition

Among the highlights for Philadelphia’s Semiquincentennial celebration is A Nation of Artists, an unprecedented, dual-venue exhibition opening in April 2026. Announced by Sasha Suda, George D. Widener Director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA), the exhibition is a collaboration between PMA, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), and the Middleton family—owners of one of the most significant private collections of American art in the country.

Spread across the two iconic institutions, the exhibition will showcase over 1,000 works of American art. PAFA will explore how artists learn and develop, while PMA will examine how visual culture shapes American identity. The show will be as inclusive as it is extensive, featuring works by Indigenous artists, women, immigrants, academic painters, and self-taught visionaries—providing a sweeping, multifaceted narrative of American creativity.

Suda noted that, “What makes American art so powerful is not only where it was made, but who made it—and why.” She added that A Nation of Artists will “highlight the creative contributions of women, immigrants, Indigenous makers, self-taught artists, and academic painters alike and present a broad and vibrant picture of artistic expression that was happening across the country through both familiar icons and voices that have historically been overlooked.” She said she was thrilled to partner with PAFA and the Middleton family, and that the exhibition would welcome everyone “from neighbors down the street to visitors from across the region, the country, and around the world.”

Adding a rare dimension to the exhibition is the contribution of the Middleton Family Collection, featuring works never before displayed publicly. John S. Middleton, principal owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, described the project as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect people through art.” He explained, “This exhibition is for everyone—no prior knowledge of art or history required.” Middleton said, “Just like baseball, art has the power to bring people together and surprise us when we least expect it. With every viewing, there’s something new to discover. It’s an honor to help bring American art to life in a new way during this very special commemoration of our country’s 250th anniversary.”

Ministry of Awe: A New Cultural Landmark

If A Nation of Artists offers a look at the American past and present through visual art, Ministry of Awe invites visitors into a surreal, immersive journey through artistic wonder.

Renowned Philadelphia muralist Meg Saligman, whose work has helped define the city’s public art movement, is launching her most ambitious project yet in 2026: a six-story, 8,500-square-foot art experience housed in a repurposed 19th-century bank in Old City.

“We’re creating a living, walkable piece of art,” Saligman explained. “It’s deeply rooted in Philly’s rich history, right in the birthplace of American democracy and finance.” Ministry of Awe will feature interactive exhibits, soundscapes, and performance art woven into a continuously evolving, community-engaged space that transforms the historic Manufacturer’s National Bank—built in 1870 and designed by architect Frank Furness—into an immersive, awe-inspiring arts destination.

Visitors to Ministry of Awe will find themselves traversing soundscapes, engaging with tactile installations, and encountering ever-evolving works of art shaped by community input. Designed not only to be viewed but experienced, it aims to blur the line between observer and participant.

Philadelphia: America’s Most Democratic Arts Destination

While history has long been Philadelphia’s calling card, its arts scene is quickly becoming a global draw. The city is home to the largest public art program in the country thanks to Mural Arts Philadelphia, which has created over 4,000 murals since 1984. Philadelphia’s pioneering 1% for public art policy ensures new developments contribute to the city’s cultural fabric.

Caren reiterated the city’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation in the arts. “We’re always looking for new ways to bring art into the public sphere,” he said. “Visitors are going to see that on another level in Philadelphia in 2026.”

Art lovers can explore Philadelphia’s “Museum Mile” along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, home to the PMA, PAFA, the Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, and the highly anticipated Calder Gardens (opening in 2025). Together, these institutions offer access to masterworks by Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, and countless others—all within walking distance.

And it doesn’t stop at museums. Public art thrives across Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods, from Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens in South Philly to street murals that narrate untold stories and community history. With art tours, local galleries, and interactive installations, the city invites every visitor to participate in its cultural evolution.

A Connected, Accessible City

Positioned conveniently between New York City and Washington, D.C., Philadelphia is an essential stop on any East Coast itinerary. Philadelphia International Airport offers nonstop service to more than 120 global destinations, while Amtrak’s William H. Gray 30th Street Station links the city to major urban centers across the Northeast Corridor.

Looking Ahead

As 2026 approaches, Philadelphia is poised not just to commemorate the nation’s founding, but to redefine how cities tell their stories—through collaboration, community, and creativity.

With the groundbreaking A Nation of Artists exhibition and the imaginative Ministry of Awe, Philadelphia is boldly stepping into the international spotlight, not as a city frozen in the past, but as one that is continuously reinventing the future of art, culture, and connection.