PAFA Est. Prior to 1930
128 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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.
- A/V Equipment
- Street Parking
- Valet Parking
- Wifi
- Ample Parking Onsite
- Dining Chairs
- Dining Tables
- Onsite Restrooms
- 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
- 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
- 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: Join the party and sign in to view pricing
- 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: Join the party and sign in to view pricing
- Food, Restaurants, Cafes:
- 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
THIS VENUE DOES NOT HAVE ANY REPORTS AT THIS TIME.
Check back again soon!
Exterior Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Historic Landmark Building, street-view day.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank
Interior, Rotunda, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Historic Landmark Building, day.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank
Interior, Salon Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Historic Landmark Building, day.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank
Interior, Washington Foyer, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Historic Landmark Building, day.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank
Interior, Museum Lobby & Shop, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Samuel MV Hamilton Building, day.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank
Interior, School of Fine Arts Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Samuel MV Hamilton Building, day.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank
Interior, Tuttleman Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Samuel MV Hamilton Building, day.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank
Interior, Annenburg Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Samuel MV Hamilton Building, day.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank
Interior, John and Richanda Rhoden Arts Center, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Samuel MV Hamilton Building.
- Photographer: Kevin G Reeves
Interior, PAFA Museum Cafe Tableau, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Samuel MV Hamilton Building, night.
- Photographer: Kevin G Reeves
Interior, Annenburg Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Samuel MV Hamilton Building, afternoon. Event design by KPW Productions.
- Photographer: Salt and Sonder Studio
Exterior, PAFA Museum Cafe Tableau at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Samuel MV Hamilton & Lenfest Plaza, street-view night.
- Photographer: Kevin G Reeves
Exterior Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Samuel MV Hamilton, Lenfest Plaza & Historic Landmark Buildings, street-view night.
- Photographer: PAFA Image Bank