Philbrick became the Interim Executive Director of the Fabric Workshop and Museum in 2023, leading this innovative artist-focused institution through a strategic repositioning. Philbrick founded Philadelphia Contemporary in 2016. PC ‘s mission is to connect the people and places of Philadelphia through art and partnership. PC reimagined what the 21 st century arts organization can and should be through partnerships and collaborations. Known for its commitment to artists and community involvement, PC has presented visual, performance art, spoken word, and music programming throughout Philadelphia. PC is concluding its programming in 2025.

From 2011 – 2016 he was Director of the Museum at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, known internationally for its collections of 19th- and 20th-century American art. He spearheaded a revived engagement with contemporary art at PAFA, creating a $35m endowment to rekindle the Museum’s program of actively collecting contemporary art with an emphasis on female and African American artists which was celebrated by Artnet News as “a case study for how such moves can create permanent and profound change within an institution.”

From 1996 - 2010 he was Director of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, building the Museum’s celebrated new building, developing innovative education programs including the Student Docent program, and leading the museum’s exhibition program, working with artists such as Ann Hamilton, Robert Gober, Fred Wilson, and KAWS.

Harry received his MFA from Goldsmiths College, University of London following undergraduate work at Brown and Columbia Universities.

Harry Philbrick has over 30 years of experience in museum management, exhibition development, and educational programming. Philbrick is keenly aware of the challenges of making contemporary art accessible to a wide variety of audiences.