Historic Calder Gardens Opens in Heart of Philadelphia

October 3, 2025 11:23 am

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Earlier this month, Philadelphia welcomed a landmark cultural destination many years in planning: Calder Gardens opened to the public on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Dedicated to the art and legacy of Alexander Calder, this impressive institution invites visitors to encounter Calder’s mobiles, standing mobiles, stabiles, constellations, paintings, and monumental works in an environment designed for reflection and discovery.

Conceived as a living landscape as much as a space for art, Calder Gardens combines architecture by the acclaimed firm Herzog & de Meuron with gardens designed by world-renowned landscape artist Piet Oudolf. Together, they have created a setting where art, nature, and contemplation are seamlessly intertwined.

Calder Gardens is supported operationally and administratively by the Barnes Foundation. The Calder Gardens team will ensure the space serves not only as a site to experience Calder’s work but also as a dynamic hub for community engagement, learning, and inspiration. We are excited to share that ARS artist Cecilia Vicuña has been selected for the inaugural Calder Gardens commissions program – “These commissions not only inaugurate the site but also mark the e beginning of the dynamic and multidisciplinary series of programs that will define Calder Gardens as a platform for experimentation, collaboration, and cultural dialogue.”

With its unique vision and setting, Calder Gardens promises to be a transformative addition to Philadelphia’s cultural corridor and a lasting tribute to one of the city’s most influential artists. ARS has enjoyed collaborating with the team at Calder Gardens, and we look forward to supporting their efforts for years to come.

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Historic Calder Gardens Opens in Heart of Philadelphia