The New Museum is a contemporary art museum at 235 Bowery on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Its exhibitions bring together work in different media, including installations that explore technology, society and what it means to be human. The seven-story building, designed by SANAA, is part of the visit: its stacked, offset forms and highlighter-yellow elevator stand out from the street. Exhibitions change, so expect a different selection on each visit. Allow time to explore the galleries and read the captions, especially if you want to follow the ideas connecting the works.
A museum for contemporary art
Founded in 1977 by Marcia Tucker, the New Museum is devoted to contemporary art. Its exhibitions give space to artists whose work may be less familiar, and bring together ideas and practices from around the world. The museum presents solo exhibitions and group shows, with work across different media.
There is no permanent collection to follow from room to room. Instead, the galleries change with the exhibitions. That makes the current program central to planning a visit: check what is on view before you go, particularly if you have a specific artist or subject in mind.
The building on Bowery
The museum’s home at 235 Bowery is a seven-story structure designed by the Tokyo-based firm SANAA, formed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. Its box-like volumes sit at different angles around a central core, giving the exterior an irregular profile. The building itself is a notable part of the experience, before you reach the galleries.
Inside, the highlighter-yellow elevator is a memorable visual marker. Gallery spaces are arranged across floors, with stairs connecting parts of the building. The museum’s expanded space has made room for a larger program of exhibitions and installations.
What to expect in the galleries
Exhibitions can bring together sculpture, film, photography and other forms of contemporary art. Some shows explore the relationship between people and technology, while others engage with social and cultural questions. The work can be challenging or subjective, so the experience depends on your interests; reading the gallery captions can help you follow the ideas behind an installation.
A visit can take about an hour and a half if you move through the galleries and read most of the descriptions. Allow longer if you want to spend more time with individual works. Thursday evening admission from 7 to 9 PM is pay-what-you-wish, though that period can be busy. The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom, an assistive hearing loop, and assisted listening devices.
FAQ
How long should I spend at the New Museum?
Around 90 minutes is enough to see several floors and read many of the captions. Allow a few hours if you want to spend longer with the exhibitions.
When is admission pay-what-you-wish?
Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 PM are pay-what-you-wish. This time can be crowded.
Is the New Museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom.
Where is the New Museum?
It is at 235 Bowery on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
