Allentown Art Museum | Allentown

Allentown Art Museum – Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Allentown Art Museum (AAM), founded in 1934 and expanded multiple times since, stands as the Lehigh Valley’s premier visual-arts institution. Housed in a striking modernist building at Fifth and Court Streets, the museum presents a global collection that spans five centuries while maintaining a strong focus on community engagement and educational outreach.

Collection Highlights

European Old Masters – Paintings by artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco de Zurbarán, and the workshop of El Greco anchor the museum’s Samuel H. Kress Collection.

American Art, 18th-20th Centuries – Works by Benjamin West, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Franz Kline trace the nation’s artistic evolution.

Textiles and Costume – More than 13,000 pieces of American and international fabric arts, including Pennsylvania German quilts and contemporary wearable art.

Prints and Drawings – An extensive graphic-arts trove featuring Albrecht Dürer engravings, Japanese ukiyo-e woodblocks, and modern prints by Warhol and Rauschenberg.

Contemporary & Regional Artists – Rotating installations spotlight emerging and mid-career creators from the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

Signature Installations & Features

“Frank Lloyd Wright Library” – An entire room from Wright’s 1923 Francis W. Little House, dismantled in Minnesota and re-assembled in Allentown, complete with Prairie-style furniture and leaded-glass windows.

“Trexler Hall” – The museum’s soaring central court hosts large-scale sculptures and community events.

Interactive Art Ways – A hands-on family gallery where visitors experiment with artistic techniques reflected in current exhibitions.

Exhibitions and Programs

AAM mounts 8–12 special exhibitions each year, ranging from Renaissance tapestries to cutting-edge digital installations. Public offerings include curator talks, studio workshops, film nights, mindfulness tours, and the popular “Free Sunday” program, which grants free admission every week thanks to corporate sponsorship.

Education and Community Outreach

The museum partners with local schools for in-classroom art kits, teacher training, and guided visits aligned to state learning standards. Teen apprenticeships, bilingual tours, and collaborative projects with area nonprofits broaden access and representation.

Facilities and Amenities

Museum Shop – Art books, prints, jewelry, and design objects sourced from regional makers.

Café @ AAM – Light fare and coffee overlooking Arts Park.

Library / Archives – By-appointment research center specializing in art history and regional culture.

Accessibility – Fully ADA-compliant entrances, elevators, large-print labels, and sensory-friendly hours each quarter.

Practical Information

Address: 31 North Fifth Street, Allentown, PA 18101
Hours: Thursday–Saturday 11 AM–4 PM; Sunday 12 PM–4 PM; closed Monday–Wednesday and major holidays.
Admission: Adults $12; seniors and students $10; children under 12 free; free to all every Sunday.
Parking: Museum lot on Linden Street and nearby garages; Allentown ArtsWalk is a short stroll away.
Website: allentownartmuseum.org • Phone: (610) 432-4333

Summary

Blending Old Master treasures with dynamic contemporary programming, the Allentown Art Museum offers an inclusive cultural hub for the Lehigh Valley. Whether you’re studying a Rembrandt, sketching in the Art Ways studio, or enjoying a free-admission Sunday, AAM invites visitors of all ages to explore how art illuminates the past, engages the present, and inspires the future.