New Palmer Museum of Art now open at the Arboretum at Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – More than 6,000 people have visited the new Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State building since it opened its doors to the public on June 1. The 73,000-square-foot museum in the Arboretum at Penn State uses LEED certified technology to bring light into the galleries and provide views of the stunning landscapes at the largest university art museum in the Keystone state.

Admission is always free. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, with special late hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Inspired by the Palmer Museum’s stunning new location, the inaugural installation of the permanent collection across 15 new galleries explores the “Roots and Renewal” of artistic lineages and legacies. The re-envisioned installation lays the groundwork for the museum’s community-centered approach to the presentation and interpretation of their collection, which totals nearly 11,000 objects. Interactive digital displays and selected groupings of works of art interrupt traditional art historical narratives and invite visitor responses as the museum poses questions and rethinks the ways artists have embraced, adapted and rejected aesthetic traditions.

“This inaugural installation of the collection is part of our ongoing efforts to acknowledge the ethnic, cultural and geographical diversity of the Americas,” is boldly proclaimed on the title wall in the opening didactic to the American galleries. “The Palmer is committed to collecting and presenting the work of historically underrepresented artists, whose lives and experiences are an essential part of the story of American art.”

Coupled with the display of the permanent collection are the exhibitions “MADE IN PA” and “MADE IN PA on Paper,” which highlight the work of Pennsylvania artists. The double-height ceiling, with a view from above, gives a first-of-its-kind look at Devan Shimoyama’s glistening installation “The Grove,” Roberto Lugo’s monumental ceramic sculpture “Do you know how hard it is to get a black man through high school?” and Sharif Bey’s stunning wall installation “Raptor Return." All three artists are Penn State graduates.

“To date, we are averaging 100 visitors per hour coming through the museum,” said Erin M. Coe, director of the Palmer. “The new Palmer is clearly resonating with our audiences, who are excited to experience the power of art, architecture and nature as something both intimate and immense.”

Extending a partnership between the Palmer Museum of Art and Penn State’s College of Medicine, “The Art of Teaching: Medical Education and the Integrated Curriculum” is also on view and features works that integrate arts and science themes and curricula for medical students.

The Palmer remains steadfast in its commitment to the Penn State students, staff and faculty as well as making the museum an inviting place for the community at large across central Pennsylvania, the United States and the world. This summer, programs including guided tours, gallery talks, summer camps, creative workshops, sensory quiet hours and more exemplify this commitment to removing barriers and making the museum more accessible to visitors.

“When we call the Palmer the University art museum, we truly mean it’s for the entire University — and beyond,” said B. Stephen Carpenter II, Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos dean, Penn State University College of Arts and Architecture. “It only takes one step into the new Palmer Museum of Art to realize the spaces were developed with the specific goals of nurturing appreciation for the landscape and facilitating connections and inquiry across disciplines.”

About the Palmer Museum of Art

The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is the largest art museum collection between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and the most significant academic art museum in the state of Pennsylvania. A key element of Penn State’s land-grant mission of teaching, research and public service, the museum is a vital and accessible cultural resource for Penn State’s students, faculty and scholars, as well as for all visitors to and from the entire central Pennsylvania region. Through its world-class objects, programs and outreach, the free museum is a welcoming, inclusive and vibrant forum for authentic arts experiences and cultivates meaningful dialogue about today’s most potent ideas and pressing concerns.

An expansive 21st-century teaching museum, the Palmer Museum of Art is a beacon for advancing the arts and humanities on Penn State’s University Park campus and throughout its diverse communities. The museum is dedicated to catalyzing groundbreaking research, scholarship and publications and providing impactful, object-based learning for Penn State and K-12 students. The museum’s rewarding and thought-provoking exhibitions and programs promote visitor participation, belonging and discovery.

Select Programming

Summer Drop-in Tours: Meet the Museum

This summer, there are plenty of opportunities to drop in and get to know the new Palmer Museum of Art. Explore the new building with a Palmer guide and enjoy an introduction to the newly reinstalled permanent collection, along with a brief introduction to two special exhibitions, “MADE IN PA” and “MADE IN PA on Paper.” More than a dozen dates are available between June 5 and Aug. 15.

Gallery Talks

Enjoy in-depth engagement with select exhibitions or specific areas of the permanent collection. Talks are led by museum curators, educators or invited specialists.

• June 23, 2 p.m. — “MADE IN PA on Paper” with Patrick McGrady, Charles V. Hallman senior curator.
• July 11, 6 p.m. — “MADE IN PA on Paper” with Patrick McGrady, Charles V. Hallman senior curator.
• July 14, 2 p.m. — “MADE IN PA” with Erin Coe, Palmer Museum director, and Joyce Robinson, assistant director.
• Thursday, Aug. 1, 6 p.m. — “The Art of Teaching: Medical Education and the Integrated Curriculum” with Dr. Mike Flanagan and Dr. Mark Stephens, Penn State medical school.

Creative Self-Care Studio Sessions

June 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Aug. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Get creative, connect with others, move your hands, learn about self-care art techniques and take time to relax and rejuvenate through art-making processes at our free, drop-in self-care studio sessions. Hosted by Erin E. Carter, assistant teaching professor of creative arts therapies, these sessions will focus on therapeutic art practices for self-care as well as provide a time and place to build community with other creative people.

Family Day: Pop-inspired Prints

June 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Pop in for some relief – relief printmaking! Participate in inking and pressing prepared images, inspired by Pop Art in “MADE IN PA,” and learn to create your own relief print with a simple process and common materials. Drop in and discover the joy of making inky impressions. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges. 

Adult Workshop: Sneaker Painting

July 13, 1-5 p.m.

Bring your own clean canvas sneakers and let art inspire your design! Take a brief journey through the galleries to gather creative ideas, then get painting in the Palmer’s studio classroom. Instructor and educator Brandi Breslin will provide gentle guidance, paint, brushes and other supplies to help you create one-of-a-kind shoe masterpieces. Open to adults 18+ for a fee of $35. Advance registration is required, and information will be provided soon.

2024 Kids’ Summer Camp

Summer Camp at the Palmer Museum of Art is devoted to artistic adventures. Campers aged 9–12 will enjoy exploring the galleries, creating art and participating in a variety of art-inspired activities and games. Each week-long camp offers a specialized focus and is led by highly skilled and experienced art instructors. Sessions also include age-appropriate rest times, creative play, opportunities for socializing and group walks through the Arboretum (weather permitting). Campers will pack their own lunches and snacks. 

Educator Open House

Aug. 8, 3-6 p.m.

K-12 Educators are invited to drop in and browse school resources, learn about innovative gallery teaching strategies for class visits and explore current exhibitions. Take away an educational poster featuring an artist from “MADE IN PA.” Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges Foundation.

Art After Hours: Pop + Politics: Fight for Your Rights pARTy

Aug. 29, 5-8 p.m.

Kick off election season at the first Art After Hours of the fall semester! Exercise your civic rights and register to vote before catching a gallery talk of the special exhibition “MADE IN PA” to explore art and social commentary in the Keystone State. Soak up some inspiration from a pop-up exhibition on art and activism before designing your own button that combines text and image for a cause. Music, performances and light refreshments will be provided. Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges Foundation. 

Quiet Hours

While many people seek out a solitary museum experience, filled with beauty and contemplation, “quiet” is not necessarily a defining feature of many art museums, including the Palmer. Between gallery programs, group tours and enthusiastic art lovers interested in discussions and discoveries, the Palmer is often hopping with activity. During established Quiet Hours, we promise to avoid scheduling programs in the galleries and alert drop-in visitors to the hushed environment.

If visitors anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about physical access to the Palmer Museum of Art, please contact Rebecca Simpson, visitor experience manager, at 814-863-9068 or rad194@psu.edu in advance. Visit the Palmer Museum of Art website for more information.