Whitney Museum of American Art
Whitney Museum of American Art features a large collection of significant works by contemporary American artists
Opening in 1931 in Greenwich Village, the Whitney Museum for American Art was borne out of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney's recognition of the difficulties faced by American artists whose work was overlooked by traditional institutions. When the endowment of a collection of more than 500 works by living American artists assembled by Whitney was refused by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she founded her own museum.
In 1966, the museum opened on New York's Museum Mile, housing a permanent collection containing over 18,000 important pieces from the first half of the 20th century and exhibiting the work of contemporary American artists. As of May 1st 2015 the Whitney Museum will be moving to a brand new larger facility located by High Line Park in the Meatpacking District. You can learn more about this impressive new facility in the video under the 'Photos and Video' tab. Notable pieces in the Whitney Museum collection include works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jackson Pollack, Georgia O'Keefe and Jasper Johns.
Free gallery tours are offered daily through the Whitney Museum for American Art's current exhibitions and permanent collections. Visitors can download audio and video guides prior to their visit from the Whitney website and check for an updated schedule of film exhibits and performance installations. The website also provides details on available Whitney Family Programs offering interactive tours and workshops for children up to age 12.
Take a break and have a light cafe lunch at Untitled, the new restaurant at the Whitney Museum for American Art. Located on the lower level, the menu features breakfast all day and contemporary coffee shop cuisine, with brunch and dinner service on weekends.
Nearby attractions include High Line Park.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.Whitney Museum of American Art Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014, USA
Phone: (212) 570-3600
Official Website: Whitney Museum of American Art
Whitney Museum of American Art Reviews
Rated out of 5
Really liked it 😃 there are many expositions to see. Beautiful museum and very well organised. On the top floor there is an amazing terrace and at night the view is even better!
Friday evening free entrance.
Definitely worth a visit if in NYC.
j r - a week ago
Don't miss out on the Alvin Ailey exhibit. It's spectacular, historical, and necessary!
If you are looking for a nice cozy spot to chill and dance on a Friday night. This museum offers that too, just get or register for your tickets online. It's free.
The line moves pretty fast for a Friday night. So don't be discouraged if it looks long. I don't think that I stood still once.
Overall, it is a cool venue worthy of your time and experience. Great elevators, too (now that's how all elevators in buildings with a lot of public traffic should be).
Raphael O. Harry - a week ago
Definitely a must visit if you’re in the area! They had an Alvin Ailey dancing pop up exhibit which was super entertaining to watch and learn about. The views from the outer decks are amazing. There were also a lot of employees that were able to help me with directions because it’s definitely a big place. Very unique artwork and beautiful pieces😍
Stephanie Santiago - a month ago
Lovely vibe and division of spaces. Great views of the city from the top floors and a great opportunity to witness some beautiful art while visiting the terrace spaces on each floor and breathing some fresh air. Overall it was a great experience!
Natlie K - in the last week
Visit this museum. I feel like I say this about every museum...but they all offer something interesting and cool. The curators have taken time to include many inspiring and thought-provoking experiences and exhibits here.
Even if you've been in the past, check out their schedule, you may find something amazing. There are also free nights.
Cage and decks/outdoor terrace on the upper level.
Exploring Meerkats - 2 months ago
Directions
| Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| L | 8th Avenue | 6 minutes |
| A,C or E | 14th Street | 8 minutes |
How to get to Whitney Museum of American Art by Subway
Take the L train to 8th Avenue, Cross the road and walk south one block on 8th Avenue to W 13th Street and go right; walk west one block to Gansevoort Street and go left; continue on Gansevoort Street to the museum entrance. Alternately you can take the A,C or E train to 14th Street, and proceed as above, but you'll have to walk a total of 3 blocks south on 8th Avenue adding an extra 2 minutes.
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Accommodations near Whitney Museum of American Art:
Photo Gallery
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An Illusion of a mirror where no mirror exists is one example of the unusual works to be seen in the Whitney Museum cc licensed photo by Andrew Baron -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr
Video
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