Whitney Museum of American Art | NYC Museums

The Whitney Museum of American Art is one of many important NYC Museums. Add a visit to this Attraction to your itinerary during your next stay at a New York Hotel.

About the Whitney Museum of American Art:
New York Museums allow art lovers to browse impressive collections from all over the world and from ancient times through the present day. The Whitney Museum of American Art focuses on 20th and 21st century American art, and has one of the largest collections of its kind. 

In the early part of the 20th century, a New York socialite named Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney realized that American artists had very little support. She decided to help them by purchasing hundreds of pieces over several years. By the late 1920’s, Whitney had amassed a collection of 600 works, and she decided to share her collection with the world.

The Whitney Museum of American Art opened in 1931. Over the years, she continued to add to her collection, and the Museum’s holdings grew. After several years of housing only Whitney’s personal collection, the Museum began to take pieces from other sources, and today the New York Museum is home to 19,000 pieces from 2,900 artists.

In addition to the Museum’s permanent collection, the Whitney Museum of American Art also hosts temporary exhibits. Now through October visitors can see American Legends: From Calder to O’Keefe. The temporary exhibit called Jeff Coons: A Retrospective will open in June and run through October.

This New York Museum also has an impressive collection of films and hosts screenings from time to time. The Andy Warhol Film Project, which features about 600 shorts and other films by the artist, is one example of films visitors can see at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Hours:
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Closed Tuesday

Admission:
General Admission: $20
Ages 19 to 25: $16
Ages 65 and older: $16
Full-time students: $16
Ages 18 and under: Free