Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, founded in 1805 as the country's first art museum and school, occupies two connected buildings on North Broad Street just above City Hall. Its private event program spans the Gothic Revival Historic Landmark Building, including a domed Rotunda and the Washington Foyer, and the contemporary Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, which holds the large Annenberg reception hall, the Tuttleman space, a sculpture center, and an auditorium, plus the outdoor Lenfest Plaza connecting the two. Rentals range from small private dinners up to large standing receptions and cover weddings, corporate functions, galas, and fundraisers. In-house event staff, security, and housekeeping are included with every rental, along with elevated gold Chiavari chairs and tables, and the academy maintains its own catering and audio-visual support rather than requiring outside vendors. Every booking funds the academy's ongoing work training artists, since PAFA remains an active art school as well as a museum.