Rocky statue enters Philadelphia Museum of Art for sports exhibition

The iconic Rocky Balboa statue, long relegated to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, has been incorporated into the museum's collection for a new exhibition on sports. The statue, created by A. Thomas Schomberg for the 1982 film Rocky III, was originally placed at the top of the museum's steps as a film prop. After filming, it was moved to various locations before being permanently installed at the bottom of the steps in 2006. The exhibition, titled 'The Sport of Art,' explores the intersection of sports and visual culture, featuring works by artists such as Jeff Koons and Hank Willis Thomas. The Rocky statue will be displayed inside the museum for the first time, marking a shift in its status from a tourist attraction to a recognized art object. The exhibition runs from April 12 to July 27, 2025.