Have an Artful Experience at NYC’s MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City is one of the most influential modern art museums in the world.  It is on the must see list for most visitors to Manhattan, even if though they may net be huge art fans.  It’s one of the noted architectural locations in the city, has been used as a backdrop in numerous movies, and is one of the quintessential NYC locations.

The prestigious art collection started off very, very small — with a small gift of eight prints and one drawing.  Since then, it has burgeoned to a collection of over 150,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models and drawings, and design objects.  There is also an impressive photography collection, with over 22,000 films and four million still photos.

The special exhibitions mingle with the permanent collection, and provide a good mix of subjects, style, mediums, and time periods.  You can choose a segment of the museum, and spend in depth time viewing and learning.  You’ll find a lot of art students doing just that.  Or, you can do as I usually prefer, to wander through getting a peek at everything, stopping to spend a little more time when something is of particular interest.

A current exhibit that intrigues me is Cezanne to Picasso, on display through August 31st, 2009 (a selection in the photo below). You can check the exhibition schedule to find out what will be on display when you visit.  I’d recommend checking the exhibits as that will help you plan your day and how to best use your time.

Weather permitting, save time to visit the sculpture garden, full of modern sculpture, reflecting pools, and plants.  A peaceful respite from a busy day in the big city.

MoMA offers great audio programming.  You can pick up a FREE portable player at the museum, giving you full access to audio programming in any sequence that you choose.  You can also connect to the FREE MoMA WiFi with your personal handheld device and listen to the programming that way.  And if you’re not in NYC, but want to learn more, there are great options as well.  Check out the full listing of MoMA audio programming and make the selection that’s best for you

MoMA is located at 11 East 53rd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenue) in Manhattan.  It can be reached easily by subway, taking the E or V to 5th/53rd Street, or the B, D, or F, to 4-50/Rockefeller Center.

Museum hours are Monday, Wednesday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Friday till 8 pm. During July and August, the museum stays open till 8:45 on Thursday as part of It is closed on Tuesday.

Tickets are $20/adults, $16/seniors (65+), and $12 students. Children under 16 are FREE. Tickets are available online, and will save you lots of time waiting in the ticket line.

Photo credits:  Courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art.

View from 54th street of The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi.
© 2006 Timothy Hursley

Paul Cézanne (French, 1839-1906), Still Life with Fruit Dish. 1879-80.  Oil on canvas. 18 1/4 x 21 1/2″ (46.4 x 54.6 cm). The Museum of Modern Art. Fractional gift of Mr. and Mrs. David Rockefeller.