Philadelphia Museum of Art announces transformative $20 million gift

PHILADELPHIA, PA.- The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) today announced a $20 million gift from Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky to establish the new Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky Learning and Engagement Center (Brodsky Center). Their commitment is among the largest in the museum’s history and will transform the north wing into a dedicated space for advancing the museum’s educational mission. The Brodsky Center is the PMA’s first major capital project since the Core Project, Frank Gehry’s landmark four-year interior renovation and expansion, which reopened to the public in May 2021.

The Brodsky Center will expand the museum’s reach to students, children, and families while welcoming audiences of all ages into inclusive and engaging spaces. Initial plans for the center include a family learning center, art studios, a visitor orientation area, and a multipurpose community hub. A central initiative of the Brodsky Center is to enhance the museum’s collections by engaging visitors with broad learning experiences throughout the galleries.

The design for the Brodsky Center is expected by summer 2027 and construction is anticipated to be complete within a few years. The museum is working with Philadelphia-based architecture firm MGA Partners on the schematic design of the Brodsky Center.

“I want to express my profound gratitude for this extraordinary gift and for the remarkable generosity of Lois and Julian Brodsky,” said Daniel Weiss, the George D. Widener Director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “It represents the capstone of their enduring commitment to the museum and will strengthen the vital work, energy, and impact of our mission.”

“Lois and I are incredibly happy to support the new Learning and Engagement Center,” said Julian Brodsky. “It comes at a wonderful moment, bringing together so many of the initiatives we are passionate about and reflecting our deep love for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Throughout our lives, we have been ardently involved in educational initiatives, with a particular focus on children and families from underserved communities.”

Longtime donors, supporters, and friends of the PMA, the Brodskys have made a lasting impact through their generosity, expertise, and service. Julian, one of the three founding principals of Comcast, joined the Board of Trustees in 1995. During his tenure, he served on numerous Board committees, as Vice Chair of the Board from 2003 to 2018, and as Chair of the Audit Committee from 2018 to 2023. After 29 years of dedicated service, Julian became a Trustee Emeritus in 2024. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Library and Archives committee.

Lois began volunteering at the PMA in 1982 as a Membership Guide and served as a Weekday Guide from 1986 to 2019, sharing her knowledge of the museum’s holdings and guiding groups through the permanent collection and special exhibitions. She currently serves on the committees for Conservation, European Art, and Prints, Drawings and Photographs.

This is not the Brodskys’ first major gift to the PMA. In 2005, the Constantin Brancusi gallery was renamed the Lois Green Brodsky Gallery in recognition of their substantial support for the museum’s 125th anniversary campaign. They also endowed the Brodsky Curator of Photographs position in 2009 through the Lenfest Challenge, a major matching campaign to endow key roles throughout the museum.

“The new Brodsky Center will be an intentionally designed, purpose-built space that inspires limitless educational experiences grounded in the PMA’s collection,” said Audrey Hudson, the Kathleen C. Sherrerd Deputy Director for Learning and Engagement. “It will address the museum’s need for expanded capacity to host school groups, while providing dedicated spaces for programming and studios for hands-on learning.”

The Brodsky Center will significantly increase the number of students the museum can serve. The PMA currently welcomes approximately 36,000 students each year. Guided school visits and bus transportation continue to be offered free of charge to students from the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), SDP preschools and Head Start programs, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation camps, and Title I schools throughout the tri-state region and Delaware Valley. The museum is committed to serving and expanding educational opportunities for children and offers free admission to those age 18 and younger.