Whitney Museum of American Art

Night view of Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City harbors one of the most important collections of contemporary American art of the 20th century. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney founded the museum in 1931 with approximately 700 works of art from her own estate.

The present building, located on Madison Avenue at 75th Street in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, was planned and built 1963 - 1966 by Marcel Breuer and Hamilton P. Smith after moving twice. It is impressive with its staircase façade made from granite stones and its external upside-down windows.

The museum displays paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, installations, video, and photography. Every two years, the museum hosts the Whitney Biennial, an international art show which displays many lesser-known artists new to the American art scene.

The permanent collection contains more than 12,000 works of art from many renowned artists. Artists represented include Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Keith Haring, Willem de Kooning and Edward Hopper, who bequeathed many of his works to the Whitney Museum.

In addition to its traditional collection the Whitney has a website, called Artport, that features “Net Art” that changes monthly.

Its current director is Adam Weinberg (2003- ). Former directors include Maxwell L. Anderson (1998-2003), David A. Ross (1991-1997), and Thomas Armstrong III (1974-1990).

Independent Study Program

In 1968, the Whitney established an independent study program, which helped start the careers of artists including Julian Schnabel. The program includes separate art history and studio programs.