Programs

Thursday, June 11

6–8 p.m.

Join us in the galleries during designated Sensory–Friendly Hours for a more relaxed and comfortable visit. During these times, we adjust the environment by dimming gallery lighting and turning off audio on gallery tablets when no tours are scheduled. While all visitors are welcome, these sessions are especially appropriate for individuals with sensory sensitivities, for neurodivergent visitors, disabled visitors, or anyone who prefers a calmer museum experience. For questions, please contact bmf5778@psu.edu.

Saturday, June 13

The Palmer Museum will be closing early at 4 p.m. for a private event. Thank you for your understanding.

Sunday, June 14

2 p.m. 

Start in the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Lobby

Drop in and discover the Palmer’s world-class collections and exhibitions with a friendly and knowledgeable museum guide. Each tour explores a theme, lasts about one hour, and includes close-looking through discussion and experiential learning opportunities. Sign language interpretation for drop-in tours is offered upon request. Interpretation services must be requested in advance and are subject to interpreter availability. Please contact Bronwyn Flemming at bmf5778@psu.edu. 

Tuesday, June 23–Thursday, June 25

Mimi Barash Coppersmith Studio Classroom, Event Space, and galleries

The Summer Institute on Contemporary Art (SICA) is a professional development institute for PreK–12 art teachers organized by the Penn State School of Visual Arts. This year’s focus considers how teaching and learning in the arts informs U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 8: “Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.” Exploration pathways will consider impacts to creative labor, teaching professions, and emerging paradigms of co-creation through art–making. This program is free for area K–12 art educators, but advanced registration is required. Act 48 credits are sponsored by PAEA. For questions about SICA, please contact Aaron Knochel at adk176@psu.edu. Free with advance registration required.

Sunday, June 28

3–5 p.m.

Join us in the galleries during designated Sensory–Friendly Hours for a more relaxed and comfortable visit. During these times, we adjust the environment by dimming gallery lighting and turning off audio on gallery tablets when no tours are scheduled. While all visitors are welcome, these sessions are especially appropriate for individuals with sensory sensitivities, for neurodivergent visitors, disabled visitors, or anyone who prefers a calmer museum experience. For questions, please contact bmf5778@psu.edu.

Thursday, July 2

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Galleries, Event Space, Mimi Barash Coppersmith Studio Classroom

Celebrate the spirit of independence and creativity at the Palmer with a festive day of art and community inspired by special exhibition Dreaming American Futures: Invitational 250. Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the Invitational, which features works by Penn State students, staff, faculty, and alumni as well as local and regional artists. At 11 a.m., start at the Overlook Pavilion for a guided walk through the Arboretum to learn about surprising and “revolutionary” plants. At 1 p.m., don’t miss public readings of notable historical declarations, including the Declaration of Independence and rousing speeches by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass, and other American activists, all with ASL interpretation. At 6 p.m., engage with local artists during a gallery conversation as they explore themes of change, connection, happiness, and the ongoing work of building a more perfect union. Drop in for an hour or stay for the day! Enjoy free food, art activities like making buttons, and gathering with others to reflect, connect, and imagine shared futures together. Free parking all day!

Thursday, July 2

6 p.m.

Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Galleries

Join us in the galleries for a special community reading and gallery conversation with Dreaming American Futures artists; Jeremy David Engels, Liberal Arts Endowed Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences and author of On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World (Parallax, 2026); and Assistant Director Joyce Robinson.

Wednesday, July 8

12:30 p.m.

Join Sima Farage for yoga, mindful movement, and meditation in this free, drop-in program at the museum. All bodies are welcome; no experience necessary. Space is limited to 20 participants per class. Borrow a yoga mat or bring your own! This program is presented through a partnership with Penn State Health Promotion & Wellness.

Friday, July 10

Noon

Barbara and Lee Maimon Teaching Gallery

Join Assistant Director Joyce Robinson for an engaging gallery conversation and in-depth look at special exhibition Constellations: Celebrating the Legacies of Betye Saar. 

Sunday, July 12

2 p.m. 

Start in the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Lobby

Drop in and discover the Palmer’s world-class collections and exhibitions with a friendly and knowledgeable museum guide. Each tour explores a theme, lasts about one hour, and includes close-looking through discussion and experiential learning opportunities. Sign language interpretation for drop-in tours is offered upon request. Interpretation services must be requested in advance and are subject to interpreter availability. Please contact Bronwyn Flemming at bmf5778@psu.edu. 

Wednesday, July 15

12:30 p.m.

Join Sima Farage for yoga, mindful movement, and meditation in this free, drop-in program at the museum. All bodies are welcome; no experience necessary. Space is limited to 20 participants per class. Borrow a yoga mat or bring your own! This program is presented through a partnership with Penn State Health Promotion & Wellness.

Thursday, July 16

6–8 p.m.

Join us in the galleries during designated Sensory–Friendly Hours for a more relaxed and comfortable visit. During these times, we adjust the environment by dimming gallery lighting and turning off audio on gallery tablets when no tours are scheduled. While all visitors are welcome, these sessions are especially appropriate for individuals with sensory sensitivities, for neurodivergent visitors, disabled visitors, or anyone who prefers a calmer museum experience. For questions, please contact bmf5778@psu.edu.

Wednesday, July 22

12:30 p.m.

Join Sima Farage for yoga, mindful movement, and meditation in this free, drop-in program at the museum. All bodies are welcome; no experience necessary. Space is limited to 20 participants per class. Borrow a yoga mat or bring your own! This program is presented through a partnership with Penn State Health Promotion & Wellness.

Sunday, July 26

3–5 p.m.

Join us in the galleries during designated Sensory–Friendly Hours for a more relaxed and comfortable visit. During these times, we adjust the environment by dimming gallery lighting and turning off audio on gallery tablets when no tours are scheduled. While all visitors are welcome, these sessions are especially appropriate for individuals with sensory sensitivities, for neurodivergent visitors, disabled visitors, or anyone who prefers a calmer museum experience. For questions, please contact bmf5778@psu.edu.

Wednesday, July 29

12:30 p.m.

Join Sima Farage for yoga, mindful movement, and meditation in this free, drop-in program at the museum. All bodies are welcome; no experience necessary. Space is limited to 20 participants per class. Borrow a yoga mat or bring your own! This program is presented through a partnership with Penn State Health Promotion & Wellness.

Thursday, July 30

Free, drop-in, 5–8 p.m.

LEAP across campus to the Palmer Museum and The Arboretum at Penn State for a summer Block pARTy! Participate in art-making activities, explore your world-class art museum and gardens, and learn about other collections on campus with Museum Consortium members. Throughout the night, enjoy live music and refreshments.