Philadelphia Museum of Art Extends Pay What You Wish Friday Nights

Philadelphia, September 3, 2026 – The Philadelphia Museum of Art is pleased to announce the extension of Pay What You Wish (PWYW) Friday Nights through the last Friday of its fiscal year, June 25, 2027. This popular program provides full access to all museum programming, including the permanent collection, events, and music, along with special food and drink offers. Every Friday evening after 5 p.m., visitors can choose how much to pay for admission.

After the successful pilot return of PWYW Friday Nights during the final three weekends of Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100 (November 8, 2025–February 16, 2026), the museum extended PWYW Friday Nights for A Nation of Artists (on view until July 5, 2027) to celebrate the museum’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th. This expanded access began on the exhibition’s opening weekend, April 10, 2026, and was originally set to end this Friday, September 4, 2026.

“Pay What You Wish admission is central to the museum’s mission of connecting more people across the region with art,” said Daniel Weiss, the George D. Widener Director and CEO. “Since the museum reinstated Pay What You Wish, we have seen a remarkable increase in attendance at Friday Nights. This important initiative needs to remain a key part of our commitment to the community.”

Since the PWYW offer returned on April 10, 2026, Friday Nights visitation has increased by 87% compared with attendance on Friday Nights during the same period in 2025 when admission was $15 for adults. Attendance on Friday evenings to date has reached 36,411 visits, surpassing last year’s attendance of 19,513.

This continued commitment to accessibility is made possible by an anonymous donor along with the William Penn Foundation. Their generous gifts will offset reduced admissions fees, ensuring that visitors have an affordable opportunity to engage with the arts.

Media Contact
Carolynn McCormack | carolynn.mccormack@philamuseum.org | 215-684-7859

About the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a national and international destination for art, but first, we are Philadelphia’s art museum—for all of the many diverse communities of the city. Through our collections, exhibitions, events, educational activities, celebrations, and more, the museum is a storyteller, and we welcome everyone to be part of the story—our doors are wide open. To learn more, visit www.philamuseum.org

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