03/25/2026
Citizens Supports ‘A Nation of Artists,’ a Defining Cultural Moment in Philadelphia for America’s 250th Anniversary
PHILADELPHIA — March 25, 2026 — Citizens today announced new major support of A Nation of Artists, a landmark exhibition celebrating more than 250 years of American creativity. Citizens joins the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA), the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), and the private Middleton Family Collection to bring together this exhibition—experienced across two museums— as a centerpiece of Philadelphia’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“2026 is an exciting year for the City of Philadelphia and Citizens is proud to support A Nation of Artists during this historic time,” said Dan Fitzpatrick, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest President at Citizens. “This exhibition reflects our commitment to investing in cultural institutions, expanding access to the arts, and celebrating the creativity that has shaped the American experience for more than two centuries.”
Opening April 12, 2026 and on view through summer 2027, A Nation of Artists is presented across the PMA and PAFA, where more than 1,000 works—including over 120 rarely seen works from the Middleton Family Collection—span 300 years of American art. Visitors will encounter paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, and textiles across both museums.
“Corporate partners like Citizens play an essential role in making ambitious, collaborative projects like A Nation of Artists possible,” said Daniel H. Weiss, the George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “Their commitment to supporting cultural institutions helps us expand access and reach new audiences at a pivotal moment for the city and the country. We hope visitors from all backgrounds feel encouraged to explore, engage, and see themselves reflected in the many stories this exhibition brings together.”
Citizens’ support also helps enable a robust slate of educational, civic, and community engagement initiatives that invite audiences of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the exhibition in meaningful ways, including student programs, free admission opportunities, educator resources, teen art‑artmaking, public talks and performances.
“We are deeply grateful to partners like Citizens who recognize the importance of investing in arts and culture as a public good,” said Kristen Shepherd, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts). “Their support helps ensure that A Nation of Artists is not only a major cultural moment for Philadelphia, but one that is welcoming and accessible to a wide range of audiences. At its core, this exhibition is about people and creating space for discovery, conversation, and connection. We want everyone to feel invited to experience it across both museums.”
Organized in conjunction with America’s semiquincentennial, A Nation of Artists explores how artistic production in the United States has been shaped by creativity, exchange, expansion, conflict, and innovation. Across both museums, the exhibition presents distinct but connected perspectives on American art. At PMA, the exhibition traces a chronological journey from the early 1700s through the mid-20th century, while at PAFA, works are organized thematically to explore ideas such as identity, innovation, nature, and social change. Together, these perspectives form a single, unified exhibition experienced across both locations. A Nation of Artists is on view at both the Philadelphia Museum of Art 9 (April 12, 2026 – July 5, 2027) and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (April 12, 2026 – September 5, 2027). Explore both at ANationofArtists.org.
As the official bank of Citizens Bank Park and the bank for the City of Philadelphia, Citizens is committed to being part of the city’s fabric and helping Philadelphia thrive. Through partnerships with local organizations—including the Philadelphia Phillies, the Port of Philadelphia, Philabundance, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts—Citizens is deeply embedded in the life of the city, investing in the culture, economy, and communities that make Philadelphia vibrant.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $226.4 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail, private banking, wealth management and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. Consumer Banking includes Citizens Private Bank and Private Wealth, which integrate banking services and wealth management solutions to serve high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.
