Quote:
Originally Posted by acenturi
The PMA has one of the largest collections in America, of which only a small portion is ever on exhibit - primarily because of space.
The problem with funding for any significant expansion, is NOT the quality or size of its collection, but the tiny number of annual visitors, when compared to its peers. That likely has lots to do with both the Philly demographics and the primary interests of the tourists who visit - which is History and Food.
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That may change now that Philadelphia is becoming more nationally and internationally recognized. There's no doubt I think amongst any of us here that Philly's star is fast on the rise. The amount of new development is one thing but I've read several news and editorial pieces in the last few years that praise and herald promise for the emerging Philadelphia arts/culture, food and shopping scenes.
As Boston, New York and Washington have become expensive places where some feel unwelcome, Philadelphia has emerged as the easygoing and palatable Northeastern city, the alternative to the others. I left New York (born and raised native) for Austin a few months ago for exactly those reasons, among others, and I say now all the time that if I ever return to the Northeast, I'd live in Philly. The city is more on people's radar now than ever before, and that's huge.
I would love to see another new freestanding museum of some sort along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Barnes relocation was quite the coup in my mind because I always felt that, for a cultural district, BF Parkway lacked simply in number of institutions residing on it. A modern/contemporary art museum (or something else entirely), whether affiliated with PMA or supported by a new organization altogether would be tremendous for the boulevard and the area. I'm super excited for Philadelphia and I look forward to seeing what's still to come.
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