Your Insider Guide to the Cape’s Creative Side
Provincetown has always been more than a beach town. Beyond the dunes and sea breeze lies a thriving creative community with roots over a century deep. At the center of it all is the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), a cultural cornerstone where local artistry, history, and education come together in one inviting, light-filled space.
We love sending guests staying at our Provincetown Hotel to PAAM, not just because it’s one of the best things to do in Cape Cod, but because visiting connects you to the very soul of the community.
A Museum with Deep Roots
Founded in 1914 by a group of artists and townspeople, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum was established to support local talent and preserve the unique artistic culture of the Outer Cape. Over a century later, PAAM remains a vital part of Provincetown’s identity and one of the most visited galleries in Provincetown, serving as a gathering place, exhibition space, and educational hub.
Today, PAAM is home to more than 4,000 works by over 900 artists who have lived and worked in Provincetown or on Cape Cod. The museum is still actively collecting, often showcasing new additions in rotating exhibitions. In fact, PAAM receives nearly 100 new works each year, many of which are donated by artists, collectors, and families committed to preserving Provincetown’s artistic legacy.
Immersive Exhibits and Sculpture Gardens
PAAM’s galleries are intimate and thoughtfully curated, rotating regularly to highlight everything from historical Provincetown masters to contemporary works by emerging artists. In addition to indoor galleries, PAAM’s three outdoor sculpture gardens are destinations in their own right.
Located on the east side, the James and Frances Bakker Sculpture Garden showcases works by artists Kate Burke, Catherine Widgery, Chaim Gross, Paul Bowen, Lila Katzen, Sidney Simon, and Boris Margo.
On the opposite side, the Berta Walker Sculpture Garden sits on the west lawn, featuring Penelope Jencks and Richard Pepitone with pieces by Sidney Simon, Richard Pepitone, Chaim Gross, Joseph Kurhajec, and Penelope Jencks.
Adjacent to the Hans Hofmann Gallery, you’ll find the Dr. Donald Butterfield Sculpture Garden featuring works by Jack Kearney, Richard Pepitone, and Joseph Kurhajec. Kearney’s sculptures, often crafted from salvaged car parts, are intricate and unexpectedly elegant up close.
Events at Provincetown Art Association and Museum
Unlike many seasonal attractions, PAAM stays active year-round. During the cooler months, the museum becomes a refuge for both artists and visitors. Its schedule of exhibitions, Friday night receptions, and Free Admission Fridays provide an engaging experience even during Provincetown’s quieter seasons.
Each fall, locals and visitors look forward to the Annual PAAM Beach Party, a festive fundraiser filled with food, music, and art. In the summer, the 12×12 Exhibition and Silent Auction invites hundreds of artists to submit small works, making it one of the most accessible and fun ways to begin or grow your own collection.
Learn, Sketch, and Create
PAAM isn’t just about viewing art, it’s also about making it. The Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Museum School offers year-round workshops, classes, and open studios for artists of all ages and skill levels. From life drawing sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays to in-depth workshops led by local teaching artists, the school cultivates the creative spirit that defines Provincetown, offering a way to experience the peaceful side of Ptown during the week.
For those who want to listen and learn, the Fredi Schiff Levin Lecture Series brings artists, curators, and scholars to speak throughout the year. These talks offer a deeper look at the exhibitions on view or explore broader themes in the art world, creating space for conversation and curiosity.
Giving Back to the Arts
PAAM’s mission extends well beyond its walls. Through initiatives like the Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Foundation Grant, the museum supports under-recognized American painters over the age of 45. It also offers scholarships for Cape Cod residents to attend workshops, helping to nurture local talent and keep Provincetown’s artistic future bright.
Supporters can also get involved through memberships, donor associations, or by adopting a work of art from the permanent collection for restoration. Even casual visitors can contribute simply by attending a fundraising event or donating to the annual fund. Every bit helps PAAM continue its work as the cornerstone of Provincetown’s art colony.
In the Community, On the Walls
You might even see pieces from the PAAM collection as you explore other things to do in Provincetown. The museum actively loans works to local businesses, banks, and care centers, expanding public access to its collection. The next time you’re in Seamen’s Bank or the Provincetown Public Library, you might find a painting or sculpture that’s part of PAAM’s broader effort to keep art accessible and ever-present in daily life.
Plan Your Visit to the Provincetown Art Association and Museum
PAAM is open year-round, making it a perfect addition to your itinerary no matter the season:
Summer Hours (July–October): Daily from 11 am–5 pm; Fridays until 8 pm (with free admission after 5pm)
Winter Hours (November–April): Thursday–Sunday from 12 pm–5 pm
Admission is $15 for adults and free for children under 16, students with ID, and members of reciprocal museum programs. No reservations are needed, and admission is always free for PAAM members. Not a member? You can still visit for free, just stop by the circulation desk at the Provincetown Library and ask for a Museum Pass, good for any day of the week.
Discover Even More Art at The Commons
Discover Even More Art at The Commons
Just a short walk from Gabriel’s Provincetown Hotel, The Commons is another year-round creative space that supports Provincetown’s working artists and makers. Housed in a beautifully restored schoolhouse, this dynamic community hub blends co-working space, rotating gallery exhibitions, and artist residencies under one roof. It’s also home to collaborative projects, including the photography collective of Elizabeth G. Brooke, our owner and innkeeper, giving guests a unique link to the artists shaping Provincetown today.
Make Art Part of Your Stay at Gabriel’s
At Gabriel’s Provincetown Hotel, we’re lucky to welcome painters, writers, designers, and creative thinkers throughout the year, and our central location makes it easy to explore Provincetown’s many art spaces.
Plan your Provincetown escape with us and pair a visit to PAAM’s exhibits with quiet mornings and relaxing evenings in our garden courtyard.