Philadelphia Museum of Art Receives $20 Million Gift

A donation from Julian and Lois Brodsky will triple the size of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's educational space.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of a sunlit gallery corridor, representing the expansion of educational space at an art museum. — Julian and Lois Brodsky donated $20 million to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to fund a new learning and engagement center. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Julian and Lois Brodsky have donated $20 million to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to fund the creation of a new learning and engagement center. The project aims to significantly expand the institution's capacity for hosting student groups.

Why it matters

The donation addresses the museum's critical need for more space to accommodate its annual intake of students. By increasing its educational facilities, the museum seeks to expand its reach and improve the experience for visiting school groups.

The gift will fund a facility expansion from 5,901 square feet to approximately 19,000 square feet. This new space is designed to support the 36,000 students the museum currently hosts each year.

The players

Julian Brodsky

A long-time board member and trustee emeritus who has supported the museum since 1995.

Lois Brodsky

A dedicated volunteer who has been involved with the museum since 1982.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

A prominent Philadelphia institution that currently provides free admission to visitors aged 18 and younger.

MGA Partners

The architecture firm selected to manage the design and development of the new learning and engagement center.

The details

The project will convert part-time areas into permanent art studios and a family learning center with the help of MGA Partners. The expansion is intended to improve accessibility and provide dedicated community hubs for visitors.

Lois Brodsky began volunteering at the museum in 1982.
Julian Brodsky joined the museum board in 1995.
The Core Project renovation reopened in May 2021.
Julian Brodsky became a trustee emeritus in 2024.
The museum expects to have designs for the expansion by summer 2027.

Culture Shift

This project continues the museum's recent modernization efforts that began with the Core Project renovation completed in 2021. By prioritizing expanded education space, the museum is aligning with broader trends toward increased community engagement in cultural institutions.

Local families and school groups will benefit from new studios and community hubs specifically designed for student learning. Visitors aged 18 and younger will continue to have access to the museum through the existing free general admission policy.

The takeaway

Large-scale philanthropic gifts are increasingly focusing on the functional utility of cultural spaces for the next generation of learners. Visitors can look forward to a more robust array of educational programming once the new center is fully operational.