Pew Center Highlights AI, Urban Arts, and Future of Museums Ahead of AAM 2026

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is turning focus towards key contemporary issues facing the cultural sector, including the implications of AI on artistic practice and the contribution of arts to urban vitality. These discussions are set to converge with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo, scheduled for May 20-23, 2026, in Philadelphia.

A central theme involves Authorship, Artistic Voice, and AI, exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping creative processes across various mediums. This discourse draws upon the work of artists such as Bettina Escauriza, Tshay, Zac Manuel, Stewart Thorndike, Chad Taylor, and Mikel Patrick Avery, who engage with filmmaking, music, composition, and multimedia art. Michelle Lopez, Emma Copley Eisenberg, and Lauren Rosenblum also contribute to ongoing discussions related to creative practice, with contributions sometimes extending to writing.

Parallel to the AI discourse, The Pew Center emphasizes The State of the Arts and the Future of Cities, examining the impact of cultural institutions and artistic interventions on urban infrastructure and community life. This includes references to projects like those at Calder Gardens and the ongoing relevance of institutions such as The Academy of Natural Sciences. Concurrent exhibitions further illustrate these themes, notably "America Today," on view through July 25 at The Print Center, with an opening reception slated for 2026. Other significant venues involved in arts programming include The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History and the Museum of the American Revolution, alongside Monument Lab and the Barnes Foundation.

Key institutions like The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, supported by Pew Charitable Trusts, are driving these initiatives. The array of featured locations across Philadelphia, including The Print Center, The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, and the Museum of the American Revolution, underscores the city's role as a hub for these critical conversations.