A statement from the board of the Greater Philadelphia cultural Alliance regarding the academy of natural sciences museum and greater philadelphia’s cultural institutions

Philadelphia, PA – As the Board of Directors of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, representing nearly 400 cultural organizations across our region, we are deeply concerned by the planned closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum. The potential loss of such an iconic cultural treasure must serve as a clarion call — not only to protect the Academy, but also to confront the systemic challenges threatening Philadelphia’s entire cultural ecosystem with bold, lasting solutions.    

For more than 50 years, the Cultural Alliance has championed the policies and sustained investment strategies necessary for our region’s vibrant cultural ecosystem to thrive. The pending closure and crisis facing the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum make clear that even our region’s most storied institutions are not immune to the mounting pressures confronting the sector. It also underscores the urgent need for new approaches to preserving the cultural assets that help define Philadelphia’s identity. 

As leaders of our cultural community, we are committed to helping identify viable solutions for the Academy of Natural Sciences while advancing broader strategies to safeguard the city’s invaluable collection of cultural assets and shepherd long-term, sustainable outcomes.  

The challenges our sector faces are complex and extend far beyond any single institution. Cultural organizations of every size and discipline are navigating a convergence of rising costs, changing audience behaviors, and chronic underinvestment. PA CultureCheck, research conducted by the Cultural Alliance in partnership with PA Humanities, found that half of responding cultural organizations had yet to fully regain audiences lost during the pandemic. At the same time, Greater Philadelphia’s creative sector generates $3.3 billion in annual economic activity — demonstrating both its extraordinary impact and the importance of protecting its future. 

There is no single solution for the Academy or for the broader challenges facing our sector. Meaningful progress will require sustained collaboration among government, business, academia, philanthropy, and the cultural community. The appointment of established leaders such as David L. Cohen and Patricia Wellenbach is a critical step in the right direction, signaling Governor Shapiro and Mayor Parker’s appreciation of the creative strategies that will be essential to finding lasting solutions for the Academy. The William Penn Foundation’s generous offer to help subsidize the Academy’s operating costs for a year to allow a full exploration of options is a testament to the foundation’s longstanding commitment to support our region’s arts and culture community and deserves consideration. We also welcome the willingness of members of Philadelphia City Council to examine available legal and policy options concerning the future of the museum, its collection, and its building. 

But responding to one crisis will not be enough. Philadelphia must make a stronger, sustained commitment to the cultural institutions that are fundamental to our civic life. Increasing Philadelphia’s per capita investment in our cultural ecosystem will be an important starting point. Proven approaches — including dedicated arts funding models used in cities such as Pittsburgh, Portland, and Cleveland — demonstrate how stable, reliable public investment can help cultural organizations plan, adapt, and thrive. Funding strategies must be matched by a shared civic commitment to preserve, protect, and sustain the cultural assets that belong to all of us. 

As we work toward positive solutions for the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum, we must treat this moment as an inflection point. We cannot continue moving from crisis to crisis, reacting only when another treasured institution is at risk or closes. Philadelphia’s cultural assets – our museums, theaters, libraries, historic sites, cultural centers, and arts organizations – are not mere amenities; they are essential civic infrastructure. They educate and inspire our children, strengthen neighborhoods, drive economic activity, connect us to one another, and distinguish Philadelphia and our region as a world-class cultural destination. 

The future of the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum — and of Greater Philadelphia’s broader cultural ecosystem — requires all of us to recognize their value and act accordingly. We must act toward building sustained investment, public policy, and civic commitment necessary to ensure that the cultural institutions we treasure today remain strong for generations to come. 

About Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance: 

Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance has proudly served as the region’s foremost advocate for arts and cultural for over 50 years. Our mission is to lead, strengthen and amplify the voices of a dynamic cultural community that sparks creativity, inspires people, and plays a vital role in fostering the health and wellbeing of the region. Representing a diverse cultural ecosystem—including museums, visual artists, dance companies, community art centers, musicians, historic sites, zoos, and more—the Cultural Alliance is dedicated to being a thought leader, trusted resource, and powerful advocate for the Greater Philadelphia creative sector. We are committed to driving positive change and supporting the collective vision of our community. For more information, please visit philaculture.org.