The Museum of Arts and Design explores how craftsmanship, art and design intersect in the visual arts today. The museum focuses on contemporary creativity and the ways in which artists and designers from around the world transform materials through processes ranging from the handmade to cutting-edge technologies.
The museum’s exhibition program explores and illuminates issues and ideas, highlights creativity and craftsmanship and celebrates the limitless potential of materials and techniques when used by creative and innovative artists. MAD’s permanent collection is global in scope and focuses on art, craft and design from 1950 to the present day.
At the center of the museum’s mission is education. Its new facility features classrooms and studios for master classes, seminars and workshops for students, families and adults. Three open artist studios engage visitors in the creative processes of artists at work and enhance the exhibition programs. Lectures, films, performances and symposia related to the museum’s collection and topical subjects affecting the world of contemporary art, craft and design are held in a renovated, 144-seat auditorium.
Programs for Seniors
Senior groups can book museum tours.
See more at NYCkidsArts
Beauty in All Things: Japanese Art and Design
Tues, Nov 22, 2011 – Sun, June 3, 2012 This exhibition of contemporary Japanese art highlights beauty found in ordinary objects—from the most refined to the most humble—often with standards very different from those in the Western world.
Permanently MAD: Revealing the Collection
Ongoing Dedicated collections galleries introduce visitors to the ceramic, glass, wood, metal, fiber, and mixed media works in the museum’s collections. Many of the approximately 250 pieces are on view for the first time.
Glasstress New York: New Art from the Venice Biennales
Tues, Feb 14, 2012 – Sun, June 10, 2012 Glasstress New York: New Art from the Venice Biennales is an extraordinary international gathering of glass sculpture created in Murano at the studio of entrepreneur and mentor Adriano Berengo.