Mission

The Arthur Ross Gallery is a catalyst for creativity, and its mission is to Engage, Educate, and Inspire. The Arthur Ross Gallery is a resource for the entire University community, across schools and departments, as well as the local community and scholars around the world. We are a learning lab where people engage with important, and often rarely seen, art and artifacts from a diverse range of time periods, media and cultures.

Located at the heart of the University of Pennsylvania, the Arthur Ross Gallery is an intimate exhibition space that presents thought-provoking exhibitions of art across cultures, media and time. Curators, scholars, artists, and Penn students present original research through our exhibitions, symposia, and curatorial seminars. Exhibition-related programs include films, music, performances, spoken word, talks, and tours.

Discover our dynamic educational programs, our Penn student docent tours on weekends, and our outreach program for underserved Philadelphia elementary school children.

Housed in the historic Fisher Fine Arts Library building on the main campus of one of the world’s great research universities, the Arthur Ross Gallery serves both the University and the Philadelphia communities. The Gallery is committed to advancing the teaching and research missions of the University through integrating knowledge across disciplines, innovation, and providing access through local, national, and global engagement.

The Gallery is free and open to the public.

Values

Welcoming
The Arthur Ross Gallery is a welcoming space for all.  The gallery is against racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, classism, ableism, ageism. The gallery approaches its work from a place of empathy, kindness, and authenticity.  The gallery collaborates with its communities in all aspects of its work. 

Accessibility
The gallery seeks to make its exhibitions and programs as accessible as possible. This includes offering large-print labels, verbal descriptions and audio recordings of labels for low-vision visitors, as well as wheelchair height pedestals. We will continue working to increase the gallery’s accessibility to all patrons. 

Transparency
The gallery shares its audience and consolidated fiscal numbers in a spirit of transparency. The gallery maintains W.A.G.E. standards (Working Artists for the Greater Economy) in its pay to all artists, performers, and lecturers.  

Integrity
The Arthur Ross Gallery upholds best practices for the stewardship of academic art galleries. We value education, seek to continually stay informed of best practices, and share what we learn. We seek to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity through the work of the Arthur Ross Gallery.  

Flourishing
The Arthur Ross Gallery values wellness, healing, and connection and organized programs to encourage these qualities in our community.