Art Commission Approves Return of Original Rocky Statue to Top of Art Museum Steps

Overview

• The Philadelphia Art Commission voted 4–1, with one abstention, to relocate the original 1982 statue to the top of the steps.
• The statue will be exhibited inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art from April through August 2026 before its fall installation.
• The Stallone-loaned replica currently at the top will remain in place during the exhibit and then be returned to Sylvester Stallone.
• City officials expect a city-owned artwork to replace the Rocky statue at the base of the steps, with the specific piece still to be determined.
• Project costs are estimated at roughly $150,000 to $250,000, and plans include a wheelchair-accessible “Rocky Shuttle” operated by the Philadelphia Visitor Center.