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Some Philadelphians want a Met-style gala at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
That much became clear after I asked a room full of influential Philadelphia leaders about their ideas to boost attendance and funding for the institution.
Can you envision it? Dramatic entrances on the fabled Rocky steps, perhaps a bow tie on our favorite fictional boxer’s statue and red carpet glam and glitz inside?
This idea, a big annual gala like the one at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, was one of many suggestions submitted by this room full of engaged Philadelphians.
They had just spent an hour listening to the Art Museum’s new CEO, Daniel Weiss, speak about the grave challenges the institution faces, mainly a daunting budget deficit and lower visitor numbers.
I interviewed Weiss for an event with the Sunday Breakfast Club, a long-standing discussion group that meets on Wednesdays (it’s a Philly thing, the name is a legacy name) for drinks and conversations about important topics.
On a whim, I handed out notecards and asked the people in attendance to write down their ideas, “What would you do to bring more people and dollars to the museum?”
Hosting a big, fancy ball was a popular suggestion.
“Is it feasible to create a gala along the lines of what the Met pulls off? Could be fun and generate so much goodwill and good PR,” wrote one attendee. “Philly needs a Met style gala!” said another card.
“We should do a Met gala, it will bring in so many people, and it could showcase our amazing fashion scene as well,” said another.
A big splash could provide a positive publicity boost to the institution, which is clawing its way back from a post-pandemic attendance slump.
According to museum officials, total attendance for calendar year 2026, up to the middle of October, was 594,324 visits. If attendance reaches its goals for November and December, calendar year attendance is projected to reach approximately 735,000 visits.
Attendance has not exceeded 688,000 annual visits since the pandemic, so this would make calendar year 2026 the strongest attendance year since 2019 – though still not back at pre-pandemic levels.
The institution is also grappling with a massive budget deficit, more than $10 million for fiscal year 2025-26, which is expected to grow.
“Not a suggestion, but more of an observation,” said another notecard. “When I think about the PMA, I generally think about the exterior of the museum, as a landmark of Philadelphia. I believe there can be more focus on what is inside of the building.”
Here’s an idea for bringing attention to what’s inside the building, for example the extensive collection of arms and armor, considered to be one of the finest in the U.S.: Stage knight fights outside of the museum. OK, that was my idea, so I told Weiss about it during our interview.
“Why not have a mini Renaissance fair outside, and then invite people in,” I asked. He seemed to like the idea, and even suggested there could be jousting matches behind the museum.
People also seemed in favor of more art competitions and classes, which came up several times.
“When I lived in New York City, I would take art history classes at MOMA after work where you would get an hour lecture on a subject and then you get to go into the galleries after hours for group discussion,” somebody wrote. “It was incredible.”
Several people noted that they enjoy programs like the Friday night “pay as you wish” events that also feature music, food and drinks.
Do more like that, seemed to be the general consensus.
Museum officials say the initiative has been well-received, and has exceeded its goals in terms of visitor numbers.
“I think the intersection of visual art and music really captures the young generation,” it said on one notecard. “The museum is already doing some really fun and innovative things, and I think these should continue and expand.”
But, make sure it’s lit. Literally.
“I went to the jazz festival a month ago. It was amazing,” somebody wrote. “But when we left at night, the outside was dark and dead. Something more vibrant at night to keep people interested and safe.”
Several people noted challenges in terms of getting to the museum, which sits atop of a massive hill, and is surrounded by busy, multi-lane streets.
“Better connect PMA to the parkway so people feel comfortable walking there,” read a submission. “Have a branded bus to circulate around Center City and bring visitors to and from the PMA.” Other cards suggested a bus taking visitors from one museum to the next, and organizing bus trips from the suburbs to get people to the museum.
Museum officials say the institution is negatively affected by changed traffic patterns during major city events, like parades or races. For example, the Philadelphia Marathon has a significant negative impact on the Main Building attendance each year due to the event’s proximity to the museum, the marathon route and related road closures.
Referencing fiscal year 2026 attendance data, there were 1,987 visits on Nov. 22, 2025, which was 38% lower than the average Saturday in November 2025. The marathon’s weekend events were held Nov. 21-23, 2025.
Weiss noted that he feels the visitor experience at the museum has room for optimization, which is something he spends a lot of time thinking about. Our audience agreed.
“I hope you consider investing in ambassadors in every room that look like a cross section of Philadelphia. I think we need to see ourselves in the museum,” said one notecard.
And – perhaps low-hanging fruit, one note said: “Have a liaison on the rocky steps and invite people inside.”
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