Philadelphia Museum of Art Receives $20 Million Gift to Build Brodsky Learning and Engagement Center

Major donation expands museum’s education footprint

The Philadelphia Museum of Art announced on 23 October 2026 that philanthropists Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky have pledged $20 million to convert part of the museum’s north wing into a dedicated learning hub. The museum says the new facility will be called the Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky Learning and Engagement Center (or simply the Brodsky Center).

Planned spaces and programs

• Family Learning Centre – hands‑on studios where children and parents can create art together.
• Art Studios – workspaces for school groups, adult classes and community artists.
• Visitor Orientation Area – a welcome desk and interactive displays to help guests navigate the collection.
• Multipurpose Community Hub – flexible rooms for talks, performances and outreach events.

According to the museum’s press release, the centre will occupy roughly 19,000 sq ft, a three‑fold increase over the existing education footprint of under 6,000 sq ft.

Design, timeline and contractors

• Architectural firm: MGA Partners, based in Philadelphia, has been hired for the initial design.
• Design completion: expected by summer 2027.
• Construction: the museum projects a “few years” for build‑out, with no exact completion date disclosed.

Why the expansion is needed

The museum serves about 36,000 students each year, but limited dedicated space has constrained program growth. Museum officials say the new centre will:

• Allow more school groups to visit simultaneously.
• Provide permanent studios for ongoing art‑making classes.
• Offer community organisations a venue for free or low‑cost programming.

Benefits for families and the broader public

Beyond school visits, the Brodsky Center will:

• Offer free family‑friendly workshops.
• Provide an orientation hub that can reduce wait times and improve visitor flow.
• Potentially support a future extension of weekday hours (the museum currently closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), though any schedule change remains under review.

The Brodskys’ museum legacy

• Julian Brodsky co‑founded Comcast, joined the museum’s board in 1995, served as vice‑chair (2003‑2018) and chaired the audit committee (2018‑2023). He is now a trustee emeritus and vice‑chair of the Library and Archives Committee.
• Lois Brodsky began as a volunteer guide in 1982, later serving on committees for conservation, European art, and prints.
• The couple previously funded the renaming of the Constantin Brâncuși gallery (2005) and an endowed photography curator position (2009).

How to verify the announcement

• The museum’s official website posted a news release on 23 Oct 2026 (URL: https://www.philamuseum.org/press)
• MGA Partners confirmed their involvement on their corporate news feed.
• Independent coverage appears in USA Art News and Lifestyles Magazine, which cite the same figures.

Open questions

• Exact construction start date and final opening timeline have not been disclosed.
• Whether the museum will adjust its weekday schedule after the centre opens remains speculative.
• Details on how much of the $20 million will be allocated to endowment versus construction are not public.

*The Brodsky Center marks the museum’s first major capital project since the Frank Gehry‑designed Core Project reopened in May 2021.*