PAFA
EST. PRIOR TO Prior to 1930
PREMIUM VENUE
128 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA

PAFA
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PAFA events break away from the traditional hotel ballroom mold, providing your guests with an immersive and unique experience.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts boasts galleries and spaces to transform into incredible settings for any event imaginable—from luxury weddings to engaging corporate functions. PAFA's spaces can adapt to the needs of an event. From 10-person private dinners to 400-person corporate functions to 1,000-person cocktail receptions, our spaces can be used in creative ways to meet your needs.
The Lowdown
Type
Art GalleryHistoric BuildingMuseum
Views
Cityscape
Style
Contemporary
Cultural
Elegant
Glamorous
Victorian
Best type of Celebrations
Charity Event
Corporate Event
Product Launch
Dinner Party
Holiday Party
Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Reception
Social Event
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Reception
Elopement
Vow Renewal
Anniversary
Engagement Party

Venue Setting

PAFA events break away from the traditional hotel ballroom mold, providing your guests with an immersive and unique experience. PAFA is the first art academy and museum in the United States and has incredible spaces and art collections to enjoy.

Your event can take place in the elegant Historic Landmark Building, the contemporary Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, or outdoors on Lenfest Plaza—all right in the center of Philadelphia.

Location is key and PAFA is just steps from Philadelphia's premier hotels, Convention Center, City Hall, and parking options.

PAFA's spaces can adapt to the needs of an event. From 10-person private dinners to 400-person corporate functions to 1,000-person cocktail receptions, our spaces can be used in creative ways to meet your needs.

You can feel good booking an event here—your rental fees go towards fulfilling PAFA's mission of educating tomorrow's artists.

Capacity

Seated
380
Buffet
380
Standing
1500
Fees
(Prices listed here are estimates only & are subject to change)
Price range

Does this include catering fees?

No

Estimated price per head

from $150 to $300

Additional charges

We request that you provide one-night event insurance which typically costs $50. All other charges are accounted for in our venue and catering estimates.

Insurance

Additional Insurance Is Required To Host An Event At This Venue

Connect
Call Venue
Event Logistics and Amenities
(Essential event logistics and amenities to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for you gathering)
Celebrations hosted here since
Prior to 1930
Curfew
No Curfew
Venue spaces
Indoor & Outdoor Venue Spaces Available
Catering
Client Must Select A Caterer From The List Provided By The Venue
Alcohol
Licensed Server Is Required
Music
Indoors & Outdoors
Smoking
Non-smoking Venue
Handicap Accessible
Yes
Other
Yes
Amenities
  • A/V Equipment
  • Street Parking
  • Valet Parking
  • Wifi
  • Ample Parking Onsite
  • Dining Chairs
Inside Scoop

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is the first and oldest art museum and art school in the United States founded in 1805. 

You can feel good booking an event here—your rental fees go towards fulfilling PAFA's mission of educating tomorrow artists. 

Venue Features
The scene:

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts boasts galleries and spaces to transform into incredible settings for any event imaginable—from luxury weddings to engaging corporate functions. PAFA events break away from the traditional hotel ballroom mold, providing your guests with an immersive and unique experience.

Your event can take place in the elegant Historic Landmark Building, the contemporary Samuel MV Hamilton Building, or outdoors on Lenfest Plaza—all right in the center of Philadelphia.

Location is key and PAFA is just steps from Philadelphia's premier hotels, Convention Center, City Hall, and parking options.

PAFA's spaces can adapt to the needs of an event. From 10-person private dinners to 400-person corporate functions to 1,000-person cocktail receptions, our spaces can be used in creative ways to meet your needs.

You can feel good booking an event here—your rental fees go towards fulfilling PAFA's mission of educating tomorrow artists.

Design:
The PAFA Historic Landmark Building is one of America's finest surviving examples of Neo-Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and was designed by Frank Furness. Upon its debut in 1876 and within its highly decorative brownstone features, it homes our permanent American art collection and the historic classroom studios where our students and faculty explore the transformative power of art.

The PAFA Samuel MV Hamilton Building bosts lofty gallery spaces have a sleek contemporary feel with clean modern architecture features. Its converted automobile production space & showrooms constructed in the early 1920s was reinvented as the Hamilton contemporary galleries which debuted in 2008. These spaces provide elegance and simplicity in their design that offers optimum flexibility for diverse types of events and significantly increase PAFA’s ability to showcase its collection depth.

Our exterior Lenfest Plaza, Hamilton Building's rooftop deck, and our ground floor museum cafe grant the ability to bring the outdoors to your event space while enjoying the museum environment.
Standout venue features:
Creative events start with creative spaces—art collections tours, art lessons or live event artists can be an element within our venue spaces.
Extra perks:
We’ll provide the following included in your rental:
  • Set up and tear downtime for your vendors
  • Standard up to 6 hours event time + more at your request, no end time restrictions
  • Sparkling facilities, with the Housekeeping staff through your event time
  • Friendly Security & greeting staff
  • Use of our in-house tables and gold Chiavari chairs (we have 25 tables and 150 chairs in each building)
  • An 18x24 foot dance floor (if needed)
  • WiFi access
  • Podium and A/V services (comes in built-in with some venue spaces)
  • A dedicated PAFA event coordinator and/or theater manager to work with your vendors during the planning and greet you on your event day
Your Caterers will provide the following:
  • Any additional chairs or tables
  • Linens and any upgrades
  • All alcohol and bar prep materials
  • All food for cocktail hour and reception
  • Coat check staff
  • Dedicated Catering manager to run the night
  • All staffing for kitchen and servers
Awards & Notables
Awards, recognitions, or noteworthy achievements associated with the venue.
As seen in Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award 2019
Food Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, Lounges
This section provides insights into our diverse culinary and social offerings.
PAFA Museum Cafe: TABLEAU at PAFA

We offer two exclusive catering options who come with dedicated catering staff, personalized menus, and full event-planning resources, our experts will assist you in creating a spectacular event for you and your guests.

PAFA Special Events Catering by 12th St Catering and Constellation
Celebration Locations
This section outlines the various spaces available within the venue for different types of events.
The Historic Landmark Building
A timeless classic and breathtaking entry for your event: One of the finest surviving examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in America.
View: Located directly across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, PAFA is the starting point of Philadelphia's celebrated Museum Mile intersecting the Avenue of the Arts. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you throughout the entire planning pr
Max capacity: 350-1000 on flow Standing Reception - 200 for Wedding Ceremony - 175 for Seated Dinner Reception & Program - 150 Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Price range: $3,000 - $15,000
Samuel MV Hamilton Building
Put a modern spin on your event: three modern galleries surround an exposed staircase, creating long sightlines with views overlooking Broad Street.
View: Located directly across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, PAFA is the starting point of Philadelphia's celebrated Museum Mile intersecting the Avenue of the Arts. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you throughout the entire planning pr
Max capacity: Up to 1000 on flow Standing Reception - 400 Wedding Ceremony - 350 for Seated Dinner Reception & Program - 200 Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Price range: $3,000 - $15,000

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