Campus Events

Part of America 250 at Penn programming, this exhibit explores the overlooked yet essential role of nurses during the American Revolution, whose vital work helped shape early American healthcare. It challenges the widespread belief that nursing began in the 19th century with Florence Nightingale by providing rare evidence of a world of nursing and caretaking that thrived before, during, and after the American Revolution. Free and open to the Penn community.

This exhibition, on view in the Annenberg Center lobby and curated by the Arthur Ross Gallery inaugural faculty director Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, will present a selection of recent paintings by Penn alum Allison Zuckerman that exemplify her exuberant, layered approach to image-making. Using paint and collage, Zuckerman creates densely constructed compositions that draw from art history, popular culture, and the internet. Her paintings celebrate the history of the image-making medium while reimagining who has the power to shape its future. Free and open to the public.

Participants of all ages and backgrounds are invited to this Common Press workshop to print a copy of the Declaration of Independence. The composition will be set in Caslon metal type and ready to print on the studio’s 1889 cast-iron handpress. These hour-long demonstrations are part of America 250 at Penn programming. Groups of up to 20 people are welcome. Reserve a time slot.

The Arthur Ross Gallery’s fall exhibition, “At Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic,” will explore Philadelphia during the nation’s formative years through paintings, sculptures, and works on paper drawn from major regional and national collections. The exhibition is curated by Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, inaugural faculty director of the Arthur Ross Gallery, and will include images of the era made to celebrate important national anniversaries, such as the marking of America’s 150th in 1926, through to the present moment. Free and open to the public.

From Aug. 29th through Dec. 13th, Penn students will offer comprehensive tours of the Arthur Ross Gallery’s fall exhibit “At Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic.” Visitors are invited to explore, ask questions, and connect with the history of Philadelphia through the Revolutionary social landscape. Tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the run of the show on Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00-3:00 p.m. The tours are limited to groups of 10. Free and open to the public. No preregistration is required.

This exhibition explores the history behind what was often a fraught relationship between women students and scholars and Penn faculty and administration. It highlights how women moved beyond earlier stereotypes to integrate themselves into all academic and professional disciplines, including all aspects of University life. From early memorabilia and photographs of women on campus to athletics, literary journals, and community work, the vast and ongoing influence of women on the evolution of the University will be on display. Free and open to the public.

The Weitzman Fall 2026 Lecture Series offers perspective on some of the most pressing issues facing built environment professionals, cultural leaders, and policymakers today. Spanning over 25 events, the series welcomes more than 40 designers, artists, scholars, and policymakers from the U.S. and abroad who are tackling sociocultural and environmental issues. Free and open to the public. Registration is required for some events.

The Burrison Art Gallery presents “Beyond Exactitude: Works by Rob Mooij,” curated by Andreea Dimofte. A retired physicist, Mooij finds beauty in those aspects of the world allowing for exact description. Inspired by artists like Soutine, Vuillard, Auerbach, and Ann Gale, he embraces portraiture and landscapes, and is experimenting with abstraction. The Gallery, located adjacent to the dining room on the 2nd floor of the Inn at Penn, features monthly exhibitions and member receptions. Free and open to the Penn community.

Led by Sarah Guérin of Penn’s History of Art Department, these welcoming, all-levels sessions offer participants an opportunity to fully inhabit their body while surrounded by art. No prior yoga experience is necessary. Attendees should bring their own yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Registration is available for multiple sessions or drop-inss, and is required for each session. Space is limited.

For this installment in the Institute of Contemporary Arts’s “Entryways” project series, the vividly-colored, abstract work of artist Saif Azzuz—a member of the Yurok Tribe, whose ancestral lands are located in present-day northern California—will fill ICA’s Sansom Street-facing windows. The project—informed by research into the natural history of Philadelphia—and its placement on the ICA building exterior is designed to prompt conversations about how communities and the natural environment can support each other. The ICA’s gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with extended evening hours on Thursday until 8:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.

In the inaugural iteration of the Institute of Contemporary Art’s new research residency program, interdisciplinary artist Wilmer Wilson IV will explore how squirrels can reflect shifting ideals of American behavior and belonging. Wilson will follow the squirrel across a range of overlooked cultural and political histories—such as Benjamin Franklin’s rodent diplomat Mungo to the recent viral controversies of TikTok star Peanut—and will examine how categories such as “pet,” “pest,” and “wildlife” produce hierarchies of care, visibility, and disposability. The ICA’s gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with extended evening hours on Thursday until 8:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.

This group-exhibition project, developed by Zairong Xiang of Duke Kunshan University in Shanghai and Denise Ryner of the University of Pennsylvania, focuses on historical and social circumstances of solidarity as a process through artistic investigations of primarily Black, African, and Chinese diasporic and economic networks. The exhibit will feature the work of nine artists—representing the Caribbean, South Pacific, West Africa, Taiwan, China, and the U.S.—including video projections, installations, prints, and archival reproductions. The ICA’s gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with extended evening hours on Thursday until 8:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Waste Scenes is a two-channel video created by artists Maia Chao and Fred Schmidt-Arenales during the Philadelphia-based Recycled Artist in Residency. Working inside an active recycling center, they built short, performative vignettes choreographed by various materials including discarded books and old tapes found on site. Through episodic narration, Schmidt-Arenales and Chao reinterpret material decomposition to encourage recognition of the throwaway culture of contemporary America. The ICA’s gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with extended evening hours on Thursday until 8:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.

The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation will host a series of information sessions during the month of October to review our 2027 grant opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to attend for a chance to learn about each opportunity in discussion with Sachs Program staff and previous grantees. Sachs Program 2027 grant cycle information sessions will be held in the Annenberg Center lobby on the following dates. Each session is scheduled from 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Presented by the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation and Penn Live Arts in partnership with Sruti, Philadelphia’s Indian Music and Dance Society, “Chrysalis” is an exhibition of paintings by artist Pragya Gupta, whose work explores the tension between the selves we construct and the more intimate parts of ourselves that can be harder to hear. This exhibition features a new series of tetraptychs (four-paneled artworks) alongside Gupta’s earlier works that trace the evolution of this inquiry. Free and open to the public. Registration is requested but not required to attend.

This exhibition, curated by Penn Libraries’ Sean Quimby and Samantha Hill—along with Penn Chaplain Chaz Howard and Philadelphia-based art director Eric Battle—traces the evolution of Black characters and creators through the history of comic books in America. Through iconic characters such as Lion Man, Black Panther, Storm, Luke Cage, and Miles Morales, and by examining the parallel journeys of the creators behind these stories, the exhibition invites visitors to consider the power of representation and question who gets to be a hero—and why it matters. Free and open to the public.

The Penn Department of Cinema & Media Studies will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Penn Cinema & Media Pioneers conference. Alumni, faculty, and students will discuss their careers in film and media. Friday, Oct. 23 will entail an undergraduate workshop and mixer from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 will feature a daylong conference from 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a closing reception between 5:00-6:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. No registration is required.

Día de los Muertos dates back 3,000 years to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and is observed across Latin America and in Latine communities worldwide. Participants will explore the unique history, traditions, and expressions of this celebration of life and death. Hosted by the Penn Museum, this family-friendly festival includes an arts activity, dance and music performances, an artisan market, and a traditional ofrenda (altar) installation. Free with Penn ID.

Attendees will join an experienced garden educator in discovering and identifying the Mid-Atlantic oaks in the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ extensive collection. Participants will learn how to differentiate between local oaks and explore the acorn variety of different trees. Meet at the Welcome Center. Free with Penn ID.

Attendees will enjoy a night of music with the Penn Symphony Orchestra, including Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Festival and Scheherazade. The ensemble, founded in 1878 and led by Thomas Hong, is comprised of musicians from across the Penn community. Free and open to the public.

Rebecca Branconi, founder and coordinator of ZARATAN Marine Research and Higher Education Center, and teaching assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University, will discuss how climate-driven habitat changes affect the complex social lives of reef fish. Organized by Penn Climate, this program is free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Hosted by the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, Andrew Shankman, professor of history at Rutgers University–Camden, will present the first lecture in the Benjamin Franklin Distinguished Lecture Series, “Most Indubitable Features of the Revolution: Some Thoughts About 1776 in 2026.” Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Wellness at Penn will host free STI testing in their medical care office. Testing will be for syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, and will not be submitted through any insurance; Wellness at Penn will cover the full cost. Testing times will be Oct. 27 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Oct. 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Oct. 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 215-746-WELL (ext. 9355). Online scheduling will be available closer to the event.

Political and health communication scholar Dhavan Shah will speak on AI opinion simulation in political and health communication research, focused on the influence of mass media, interpersonal communication, and digital media on AI-related social judgments, political engagement, and health support. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Hosted by the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, Carol Soltis, project associate curator of American art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, will present the second lecture in the Benjamin Franklin Distinguished Lecture Series, “Reimagining Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin West’s Celebration of an American Patriot.” Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Equity in Action Visiting Scholar Aisha Fukushima will lead a multimedia poetry reading and conversation drawing from her debut collection, “Mostly Water.” Through poetry, storytelling, music, and dialogue, participants will explore themes of mixed and multicultural identity, memory, shared histories, solidarity, and belonging. The program will include an audience Q&A. Attendees will consider their own stories of belonging and how sharing them can build bridges across differences. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Returning for its second live event as part of America 250 at Penn, Unique at Penn will features contributors from across the University sharing brief presentations that highlight unique materials from Penn’s special collections and archives, as well as the research they support and the behind-the-scenes work that makes these resources accessible. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Equity in Action Visiting Scholar Lisa Sharon Harper will lead a book talk, interactive Q&A, and book signing to celebrate her critically acclaimed book, “Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World—And How To Repair It All.” Participants will explore the power of family stories (microhistories) to subvert the hegemonic narratives attempting to erase truth. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Courtney B. Vance, Tony and Emmy award-winning actor and Penn’s Center for Africana Studies artist-in-residence, will host an acting and storytelling master class at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29 at Fitts Auditorium (3501 Sansom St.), followed by a conversation with students at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 at the Max Kade Center (3401 Walnut St.) Free and open to the Penn community. CLE credits available. Register to attend each event.

William Glasgall, Penn IUR Fellow and Volcker Alliance public finance adviser, and Susan Wachter, Wharton professor and co-director of the Penn Institute for Urban Research, will explore the data center controversy—and its potential impact on state and local finances and jobs—with a panel of experts from government, academia, and Wall Street. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

This inaugural program, hosted by the Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP) of Penn’s Institute for Urban Research, is designed to connect transportation-focused public agencies with Penn faculty and staff to collaborate on applied research projects. Public agency staff are invited to give low-stakes, two-minute pitches on short-term, high-impact projects that could benefit from external expert support. Afterwards, the Pitchfest team works to “match” agencies with faculty and staff. Free and open to the Penn community. Register to attend.

Presented in partnership with Twelve Gates Arts and their exhibition Extended Constellations, and sponsored by the Asian American Studies Program, the Department of Cinema and Media Studies, and the Wharton Art Club, Public Trust will host this screening and conversation exploring shifting relationships to place, history, and home. Moving between artistic practice and cultural stewardship, the program asks what images preserve, what they leave behind, and who ultimately shapes what enters our collective memory. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

This symposium will explore how reliable and affordable access to water, cooking fuel, heat, and cooling shapes health and well-being as significant determinants of health. Participants will hear from expert panelists, engage in a Q&A, and take part in interactive breakout sessions. Following the event, attendees will have the opportunity to join a working group to translate key insights into a policy brief aimed at advancing utility security and health equity regionally. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Penn students, faculty, and staff are invited to drop by the Common Press to print spooky-themed images of skeletons and coffins from the 1765 Pennsylvania Journal “tombstone edition” that reported the Stamp Act. This program is free. Register to attend.

Penn Flutes, one of the largest active flute choirs in the U.S., will present an afternoon of music. Directed by Michele Kelly, the event includes flutists from the ranks of Penn undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the surrounding community. Free and open to the public.

The McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology will host leading landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom to deliver the Anne Whiston Spirn Lecture, presented annually to showcase a practitioner or scholar in the field of landscape architecture whose work expands the disciplinary boundaries of research and practice. Voraakhom focuses on climate-resilient urban design projects across Southeast Asia, implementing nature-based solutions to mitigate flooding, enhance biodiversity, and protect vulnerable communities. Free and open to the public.

This interactive Global Discovery Series talk will focus on the groundbreaking work of Emily Wilson, professor of classical studies and College for Women Class of 1963 Term Professor in the Humanities. The discussion will highlight Wilson’s widely-acclaimed work as a re-translator of ancient epic and drama, focusing on poetic form, revision, and the possibilities for creating a sense of surprise and discovery for readers of ancient literature. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Now in its fourth year and running from Nov. 4, 2026, through April 7, 2027, Mind & Mood Recharge offers monthly experiences designed to nourish the mind, body, and spirit with a rotation of wellness activities for all levels. Taking place on the first Wednesday of each month, Mind & Mood Recharge programming includes yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Afrobeats, expressive arts, and more—powered by Penn Medicine. No experience necessary. Start times vary. Register for individual sessions. Free with Penn ID.

This program recounts trailer editor and studio marketing executive Jim Fredrick’s journey through the realm of movie marketing. Fredrick will discuss his new book, which offers readers exclusive access to behind-the-scenes anecdotes and firsthand accounts of working with studio executives and navigating relationships with famous movie stars and directors. Free and open to the public.

Presented by the Price Lab for Digital Humanities, this workshop will feature graphic designer and paper engineer Kelli Anderson demystifying how pop-up books are made. Anderson will show her design process for 3D elements, including how to build “blanks”, envision 2D design on 3D surfaces, set up a print file for a dimensional project, and effectively work with a printer. Participants will receive a laser-cut kit of paper pieces, which will be assembled into a “sliceform” pop-up—taken directly from Anderson’s new book, “Alphabet in Motion.” Free and open to the public. Register for the talk and the workshop separately.

This inaugural conference at Perry World House will mark a decade as Penn’s home for global policy engagement. Spanning a full day of keynote conversations, leaders from government, defense, humanitarian organizations, and journalism will take on four of the most urgent challenges facing the world today: climate change, human rights and global justice, democracy, and security. An evening reception will follow the conference. Free and open to the public. Register to attend individual sessions virtually or in person.

Hosted by Penn’s Public Service and Policy Initiative, the Penn Institute for Urban Research, and Results for America (RFA), Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols (D) and former Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum (R) will discuss the chapter they co-authored in “Do What Works: Smarter Government, Better Results”, a new bipartisan book from RFA featuring government leaders across the country who are using data and evidence to tackle pressing public challenges. They will discuss how local leaders can use data and evidence to bridge political divides, build trust, and deliver better results for residents. The first 25 attendees will receive a free copy of the book. Free and open to the public. Registration is requested.

As Philadelphia commemorates the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, this Public Trust event invites audiences to reconsider the origins of American democratic thought by centering the governance traditions of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (often referred to historically as the Iroquois Confederacy). The program will examine how its sophisticated systems of governance, diplomacy, consensus-building, and shared power—developed centuries before European contact—were encountered and studied by colonial leaders, including the influence on early American political thought and the U.S. Constitution. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Inaugural faculty director of the Arthur Ross Gallery Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw and director of the Penn Art Collection Lynn Smith Dolby will lead a virtual tour of the Gallery’s fall exhibition, “At Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic.” The tour will be followed by a Q&A. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Co-organized by Elly R. Truitt, the Janice and Julian Bers Professor of the History of Science at Penn, the 19th annual Lawrence J. Schoenberg Symposium on Manuscript Studies in the Digital Age topic will interrogate the multiangled intersections of magic, science, religion, and ritual in the pre- and early modern world. Participants will explore the testimony of handwritten evidence to the ways in which the distinctions between science, magic, and religion were made, blurred, and interpreted for their readers and users. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

Rachel Kolb, author of the recent memoir “Articulate: A Deaf Memoir of Voice,” will recount stories from a life spent practicing various types of articulation, both in English and in American Sign Language (ASL). Drawing from lived experiences and the process of writing her book, Kolb will discuss deafness as a source of insight that can deepen our analysis of the stakes of human connection, as well as illuminate more equitable and flexible ways of shaping our relationships with others. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. Free and open to the public.