Young Professionals Night: Freedom Dreams
Friday, April 24, 7 – 11pm
$35; members and students $20; Contemporaries free
About the Event
Join us for this spring’s Young Professionals Night in celebration of our newest exhibition, Freedom Dreams.
Philly’s creative pulse comes alive as emerging artists, cultural tastemakers, and young professionals gather for an unforgettable celebration of art, music, and connection. Whether you’re wandering the galleries in a spirit of discovery, sparking new conversations with fellow art lovers, or losing yourself on the dance floor, #BarnesYP is your gateway into the city’s most dynamic and imaginative cultural scene. Lean into the season’s boldness and bring your brightest self—think daring prints, vibrant colors, vintage treasures, and sparkling jewels that catch the light as you move. This is your moment to play, to shine, to stride into spring with style and possibility.
Young Professionals Night is hosted by The Contemporaries, the Barnes’s young philanthropist and art enthusiast community. For more information about joining The Contemporaries, contact us: circles@barnesfoundation.org or 215.278.7110.
#BarnesYP Highlights
We’ll set the scene with art, style, light bites, and sparkling sips—all we need is you!
VIP Reception
6:30 – 7:30pm
Get to know your fellow Contemporaries and YP Leadership Board members and enjoy complimentary light bites and cocktails to kick off another fabulous Young Professionals Night. To learn more or join the Contemporaries or the YPLB, call 215.278.7110.
Live Music
7 – 11pm
Enjoy music and spinning by Rashid Zakat in the Annenberg Court all night with live drums by Steve McKie at 9pm.
Barnes After Dark Scavenger Hunt
Collectable conversation cards will guide your journey through our galleries as you connect with fellow art lovers and compete for prizes.
Cocktails & Bites
Cash bar featuring beer, wine, themed cocktails, and light fare. Plus, your ticket includes a complimentary glass of champagne and a treat to finish the night.
Local Arts
7 – 10pm
Capture the night at the Pop-Up Polaroid photo booth. Create a collage flipbook with Qiaira Riley and Yannick Lowery of Every Blue Moon collective.
Pop-Up Exhibition: The Cookout
Don’t miss this one-night-only exhibition by artist and director Elijah Crawford. This retrofuturistic activation imagines what happens when the future meets the past, inviting critical reflection on cultural preservation and Black ephemera.
Film Screenings
7 – 10pm
Happy Birthday, Marsha! (2018) directed by Sasha Wortzel and Tourmaline
Talking Walls (2025) directed by Marcellus Armstrong
Screenings in the Comcast NBCUniversal auditorium.
Donate to Tree House Books
In the spirit of giving back, make a donation to Philly’s Tree House Books. Gently used or new books are welcome, especially books by Black authors featuring Black characters. No textbooks or encyclopedias.
YPN at the Barnes
Celebrate with the emerging creatives and young professionals who fuel Philly’s vibrant cultural scene.
Go Further
First Friday: Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra
Tonight’s performance celebrates Black artists in classical music and features a Q&A with composers, performers, and conductors.
PECO Free First Sunday Family Day: Philly Jazz Month
See special performances by talented Philadelphia youth musicians and enjoy family art activities, storytime, and free access to our galleries.
First Friday: Farah Siraj
Enjoy live music by Jordanian vocalist and composer Farah Siraj, plus access to the collection and Freedom Dreams.