The special hearing, convened by Council’s Legislative Oversight Committee, marked the first time Drexel officials publicly explained their decision. Drexel operates the Academy. The closure last month surprised many community members and museum supporters, and a crowd booed inside the hearing as protesters gathered outside.

Melissa Richman of Drexel’s Office of the President said the university and Academy leadership had considered the museum’s future for two years. “We’re neither abrupt nor hasty,” she said, describing the closure as the result of a “rigorous two-year study.”

Supporters questioned why the museum closed with only a month’s notice and without a prior fundraising campaign. Ileana Betancourt of the Save The Academy Coalition asked how Drexel and Academy leaders reached that decision.

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas also pressed Drexel on whether it had sought help from the city, as it had during earlier financial crises. He challenged the university to address concerns that the closure could be connected to the value of the land, saying, “Convince me that this is not a land grab.”

Councilmember Anthony Young Jr., who co-sponsored the hearing resolution, criticized the mayor’s administration for submitting a written statement instead of sending a representative to appear.

City and Drexel officials are considering a plan that could reopen the museum at another location. Supporters say they want the Academy to remain at its current site. Thomas said the hearing was intended to clarify the situation and consider what comes next, including whether a path remains to save the institution.