American Art Galleries Reinstallation Project

FAIN: GI-261155-18

Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, PA 19101-7646)
Kathleen Adair Foster (Project Director: January 2018 to present)

Implementation of a reinterpretation of the museum’s permanent early American art galleries.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art respectfully seeks a three-year, $400,000 implementation grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support the reinterpretation of its renowned collection of early American art (to 1840) and its reinstallation in new, purpose-built galleries. This reinstallation, the first of its kind in four decades, will provide a welcome opportunity to highlight the many strengths of the Museum’s extensive holdings in this field, including art made in the Philadelphia region, and to interpret this material in new and engaging ways for 21st-century visitors. Critical support from the NEH will create an innovative installation, audience-driven interpretive strategies, and new educational programming for all ages that explores the pluralism inherent in the American experience and the art that was shaped by it. Dr. Kathleen A. Foster, The Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Senior Curator of American Art and Director of the Center for American Art, leads this project.

Media Coverage

Philadelphia Museum of Art, Temple, and Rendell Center receive NEH grants (Media Coverage)
Author(s): John Timpane
Publication: Philadelphia Inquirer
Date: 8/9/2018
Abstract: Philadelphia cultural institutions won big in the latest round of National Endowment for the Humanities grants, announced Monday.
URL: http://www2.philly.com/philly/entertainment/arts/neh-grants-philadelphia-museum-of-art-temple-university-rendell-center-20180809.html

Transformational changes at Museum of Art will debut May 7 with two major exhibitions in new galleries (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Stephan Salisbury
Publication: Philadelphia Inquirer
Date: 2/25/2021
Abstract: After nearly four years of maddening construction that closed off swaths of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to visitors, a date to reopen and show off 22,000 square feet of new gallery space and the rest of the transformational changes has now been set: May 7. This includes the reinstallation of the early American art collection and opening of a new exhibition of contemporary artists with ties to Philadelphia.
URL: http://https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-museum-of-art-reopening-construction-20210226.html

New Galleries Will Present a Fresh Take on Art of the Americas with a Focus on Philadelphia (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Norman Keyes, Justin Rubich, Joy Deibert
Publication: Philadelphia Museum of Art Press Room
Date: 2/25/2021
Abstract: Philadelphia Museum of Art's press release regarding installation of new galleries with a spotlight on immigration, colonialism, trade, and underrepresented narratives.
URL: https://press.philamuseum.org/new-galleries-present-fresh-take-on-art-of-americas-with-focus-on-philadelphia/

A New Day at the PMA (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Alexandra Alevizatos Kirtley
Publication: Magazine Antiques
Date: 3/1/2014
Abstract: A curator guides readers through the revamped early American art galleries at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
URL: https://www.themagazineantiques.com/magazine-march-april-2021/

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Reimagines the City's History (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Peter Saenger
Publication: Wall Street Journal
Date: 4/2/2021
Abstract: The museum's new American galleries highlight the turbulence and vitality of the biggest city in colonial America.
URL: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-philadelphia-museum-of-art-reimagines-the-citys-history-11617385896

Philadelphia Museum of Art's New Galleries Present a Fresh Take on Art of the Americas with a Focus on Philadelphia (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Artfix Daily
Publication: ArtfixDaily
Date: 4/5/2021
Abstract: The new galleries offer a welcome opportunity for the museum to tell a wealth of stories centered on Philadelphia and the central role it has played in the development of American art, highlighting the creative spirit that has always been a hallmark of this city and continues to distinguish artmaking in Philadelphia today.
URL: https://www.artfixdaily.com/news_feed/2021/03/29/9198-philadelphia-museum-of-arts-new-galleries-will-present-a-fresh-ta

American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Enlarging the Canon, Without Polemics (Review)
Author(s): Lance Esplund
Publication: The Wall Street Journal
Date: 5/8/2021
Abstract: The institution’s new Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Galleries recount a complicated, often difficult history, while keeping the art front and center.
URL: https://www.wsj.com/articles/american-art-at-the-philadelphia-museum-of-art-enlarging-the-canon-without-polemics-11620471601

Inside the Art Museum's new galleries, a promising profusion of art-makers and more expansive narratives (Review)
Author(s): Thomas Hine
Publication: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Date: 5/6/2021
Abstract: An exhibition of works by local art-makers opens the Philadelphia Museum of Art's new contemporary galleries. The new Early American galleries reframe that collection to tell a more inclusive story.
URL: https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-art-museum-new-galleries-american-contemporary-20210506.html

American Art Illuminated (Media Coverage)
Publication: Early American Life
Date: 8/1/2021
Abstract: Re-interpreted and revealing, the early American galleries at the Philadelphia Museum of Art shine new light into dark corners of our history.

Reconsidered & Reinstalled: Art Of The Americas At The Philadelphia Museum Of Art (Review)
Author(s): Jessica Skwire Routhier
Publication: Antiques and the Arts
Date: 5/4/2021
Abstract: Review of reinstalled Early American Art galleries
URL: https://www.antiquesandthearts.com/reconsidered-reinstalled-art-of-the-americas-at-the-philadelphia-museum-of-art/

John Singleton Copley double portrait lovingly restored, pock marks and all (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Emily Sharpe
Publication: The Art Newspaper
Date: 7/2/2021
Abstract: So-called imperfections laid bare at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through conservation efforts
URL: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/07/02/john-singleton-copley-double-portrait-lovingly-restored-pock-marks-and-all

The Eye Revealed (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Stephan Salisbury
Publication: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Date: 5/7/2021
Abstract: How two mysterious royal portraits came to light as the Philadelphia Museum of Art prepped for its grand expansion.
URL: https://www.inquirer.com/arts/a/philadelphia-art-museum-secret-portraits-huarte-20210507.html

Associated Products

American Art 1650–1850: A Resource for Classroom Teachers (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: American Art 1650–1850: A Resource for Classroom Teachers
Author: Rebecca Mitchell
Author: Suzannah Niepold
Abstract: This teaching resource highlights works of art chosen by educators to reflect multiple perspectives on the history of the United States.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: http://philamuseum.org/learn/educational-resources/american-art-1650-1850-booklet
Primary URL Description: This booklet can be found in the Educational Resources section of the PMA website's Learn page.
Audience: K - 12

Pepper-Pot: A Scene in the Philadelphia Market (Teaching Poster) (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Pepper-Pot: A Scene in the Philadelphia Market (Teaching Poster)
Author: Suzannah Niepold
Abstract: This teaching poster highlights a small painting of a Philadelphia market scene from 1811, providing insight into the daily lives of citizens and the contributions of the Free Black community.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: http://philamuseum.org/learn/educational-resources/pepper-pot-a-scene-in-the-philadelphia-market
Primary URL Description: This poster can be found in the Educational Resources section of PMA websites Learn page.
Audience: K - 12

New Early American Galleries (Exhibition)
Title: New Early American Galleries
Curator: Kathleen Foster
Abstract: Trace the origins of our city’s extraordinary creativity in our new Early American Art galleries. The 10,000-square-foot space has been installed to tell the story of how Philadelphia became the young nation’s cultural capital, and how Black, Indigenous, and Latin American artists contributed to the development of American art.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://philamuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/new-early-american-galleries

The Hands of My Grandmothers (Blog Post)
Title: The Hands of My Grandmothers
Author: Jeremy Johnson
Abstract: A member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians discusses his personal story of connection to a piece of art made by his Lenape ancestors.
Date: 07/04/2022
Primary URL: https://blog.philamuseum.org/the-hands-of-my-grandmothers/
Blog Title: PMA Stories
Website: Philadelphia Museum of Art

Early American Galleries Video Library (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Early American Galleries Video Library
Author: Philadelphia Museum of Art
Abstract: Digital archive with content related to PMA's early American art galleries, featuring maker, behind-the-scenes, and programming videos.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjh3EOFqaQHzG_qWrUwMX0bQlQF9__whP
Access Model: Open access on YouTube

Presidential China, 1780–1980 (Web Resource)
Title: Presidential China, 1780–1980
Author: David Barquist
Author: Kathleen Foster
Author: John Vick
Author: Rosalie Hooper
Abstract: Discover how US presidents—from George Washington to Ronald Reagan—expressed national identity and personal tastes through their tableware.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://philamuseum.org/preschina

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