NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

The Guggenheim exhibits modern and contemporary painting and sculpture in one of the most famous buildings in the world, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Its collection of 20th-century European modern masters is famous, serving as one basis of its new expansion program. As it remolds itself as an international museum, the Guggenheim now shows much more contemporary art, and has even done encyclopedic exhibits of the traditional arts of China and Africa.

The Guggenheim has one of the largest collections of Wassily Kandinsky's paintings in the world. Paul Klee, Franz Marc, Robert Delaunay, Marc Chagall and Fernand Léger are among other modern masters featured in the permanent collection. The Justin K. Thannhauser Foundation Collection of Modern Art is particularly strong in Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works. An ongoing series of exhibitions draws on the permanent collection of more than 6,000 works as well as loans from other institutions. Lectures, concerts, dance performances and poetry readings are also offered.

Solomon R. Guggenheim was the fourth of seven brothers from an old New York family with a financial empire based in mining. In the 1920s he began collecting the work of avant-garde artists. As the fame of his collection grew, he opened his apartment to the art world and began lending works for exhibition. In 1937 the Guggenheim Foundation was created, opening two years later as the Guggenheim Collection of Non-Objective Paintings. In 1943 Wright was commissioned as the architect for a new museum. However, due to the museum's controversial design—and New York's conservative building codes—it would be 16 years before the museum would open.

A 10-story tower designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates was added in 1992. Offices were moved underground so the entire Wright building was fully accessible to the public for the first time. The tower—with its four floors of galleries and fifth-floor sculpture terrace—allows many more artworks to be shown from the permanent collection.

• Directions: Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th Street

• ADA Compliant Restrooms
• Audio Guides: Free with admission. Director's Pick Audio Tour, Architecture Audio Tour, and occasionally, special exhibit audio tours.
• Disability Access: Wheelchair accessible except for the High Gallery, which is accessible by two low stairs. Free admission for individuals accompanying people in manual wheelchairs.
• Disability Assistance:
  Hearing: Assistive listening system and American Sign Language tours available. Mind's Eye programs, offered monthly, provide an opportunity for blind or partially sighted visitors to explore the museum's exhibitions, collections and architecture through visual and linguistic tools particular to their experience. Tours and workshops are conducted through Verbal Imaging and Touch. Registration required at access@guggenheim.org or (212) 360-4355.
  Mobility: Wheelchairs available free of charge, first come, first served; please ask a security guard at the entrance for assistance.
  Vision: Large-print guides and live audio description tours are available. Service dogs allowed.
  For a full listing of services offered to visitors with disabilities, see the Web site.
• Gift Shops: A large selection of art publications, catalogs, posters, jewelry and scarves are available.
• On-Site Food: The Wright is a 58-seat, full-service restaurant that emphasizes seasonal, local and sustainable ingredients. In the center of the room a casual, European-style bar offers small plates, panini sandwiches, espresso and drinks.
  Lunch Fri–Wed 11:30 am–3:30 pm; Dinner Thurs–Sat 5:30–11 pm
  Cafe 3 is an espresso and snack bar adjacent to the permanent Kandinsky Gallery on Annex Level 3. Serving sandwiches, specialty pastries, chocolates, coffee, tea, wine and beer, Cafe 3 enjoys a picturesque view across Fifth Avenue to Central Park.
  Fri–Wed 10:30 am–5:30 pm; closed Thurs.

Get involved with Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

• Donations through NYCharities.org
• Volunteer Opportunities: The Guggenheim Museum offers a variety of internships in many different departments. In addition to our internships in New York, the Guggenheim offers internship opportunities at our European affiliates in Bilbao, Spain and Venice, Italy.
• Memberships: Experience the Guggenheim as a member and become our most valued guest. Free admission, invitations to exclusive members-only events, and discounts in the Guggenheim Store are just the start.
• Subscriptions: Join the online mailing list and receive news and special offers.